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OF GREGOM 

JAMES OTIS 




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Antoine of Oregon 



A Story of the Oregon Trail 



BY 

JAMES OTIS \SoJUr^ 




NEW YORK •:• CINCINNATI •:• CHICAGO 
AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY 






Copyright, 1912, by 
JAMES OTIS KALER. 

Copyright, 1912, in Great Britain. 

antoine ok oregon. 
W. P. I 



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CI.A328443 



FOREWORD 

The author of this series of stories for children 
has endeavored simply to show why and how the 
descendants of the early colonists fought their way 
through the wilderness in search of new homes. The 
several narratives deal with the struggles of those 
adventurous people who forced their way westward, 
ever westward, whether in hope of gain or in answer 
to "the call of the wild," and who, in so doing, 

wrote their names with their blood across this 

« 

country of ours from the Ohio to the Columbia. 

To excite in the hearts of the young people of 
this land a desire to know more regarding the build- 
ing up of this great nation, and at the same time 
to entertain in such a manner as may stimulate to 
noble deeds, is the real aim of these stories. In them 
there is nothing of romance, but only a careful, 
truthful record of the part played by children in 
the great battles with those forces, human as well 

as natural, which, for so long a time, held a vast 

3 



4 FOREWORD 

portion of this broad land against the advance of 
home seekers. 

With the knowledge of what has been done by 
our own people in our own land, surely there is 
no reason why one should resort to fiction in order 
to depict scenes of heroism, daring, and sublime 
disregard of suffering in nearly every form. 

JAMES OTIS. 



CONTENTS 



The Fur Traders 
Why I AM NOT A Fur Trader . 
Striving to Plan for the Future 
An Inquisitive Stranger 
An Unexpected Proposition 
I SET Out as a Guide 
John Mitchell's Outfit 
Making the Bargain . 
We Leave St. Louis . 
The Hardships to be Encountered 
The Camp at Independence 
A Frontier Town 
The Start from Independence . 
Careless Travelers . 
Overrun by Wild Horses . 
Searching for the Live Stock . 
Abandoning the Missing Animals 
Meeting with Other Emigrants 
A Tempest ..... 
Facing the Indians 
Teaching the Pawnees a Lesson 
The Pawnee Village . 
A Bold Demand .... 

5 



PAGE 

9 
II 

13 

15 

16 

18 

20 

23 

•25 

26 

28 

30^ 

33' 

35 

38 

40 

42 

43 
46 

49 
51 
53 
54 



CONTENTS 



I Gain Credit as a Guide . 

A Difficult Crossing . 

Wash Day .... 

Indian Pictures . 

A Plague of Wood Ticks . 

Another Tempest 

The Cattle Stampeded Again 

Difficult Traveling . 

Colonel Kearny's Dragoons 

Disagreeable Visitors 

Driving away the Indians . 

Turkey Hunting . 

Eager Hunters . 

Antelope Country 

Shooting Antelopes . 

A Pawnee Visitor 

The Pawnees try to Frighten Us 

Defending Ourselves . 

Scarcity of Fuel, and Discomfort 

Lame Oxen .... 

An Army of Emigrants 

The Buffalo Country 

Hunting Buffaloes 

My Mother's Advice . 

Ash Hollow Post Office . 

New Comrades . 

Fort Laramie 

A Sioux Encampment , 



CONTENTS 



Indians on the March 

The Fourth of July . 

Multitudes of Buffaloes . 

We Meet Colonel Kearny Again 

Across the Divide 

Fort Bridger 

Trading at Fort Hall 

Thlevish Snakes . 

The Hot Springs . . . 

The Falls of the Snake River 

Signs of the Indians . 

Beset with Danger 

Hunger and Thirst . 

Nearly Exhausted 

Arrival at Fort Boise 

On the Trail Once More . 

Cayuse Indians . 

The Columbia River . 

An Indian Ferry 

The Dalles of the Columbia 

Our Live Stock . 

My Work as Guide Ended . 

I Become a Farmer . . . 



PAGE 
III 

122 
123 
124 
126 
128 
129 

133 
135 
137 

139. 
140 

141 

143 
144 

145 
146 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



THE FUR TRADERS 



There is ever much pride in my heart when I hear 
it said that all the trails leading from the Missouri 
River into the Great West were pointed out to the 
white people by fur buyers, for my father was well 




known, and in a friendly way, as one of the most suc- 
cessful of the free traders who had their headquarters 
at St. Louis. 

It is not for me to say, nor for you to believe, that 
the fur traders were really the first to travel over these 
trails, for, as a matter of fact, they were marked out 

9 



10 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

in the early days by the countless numbers of buffa- 
loes, deer, and other animals that always took the 
most direct road from their feeding places to where 
water could be. found. 

Then came the Indians, seeking a trail from one 
part of the country to another, and they followed in 
the footsteps of the animals, knowing full well that 
thereby they would not lack for water, the one thing 
needful to those who go to and fro in the wilderness. 

Thus it was that the animals and the Indians com- 
bined to mark out the most direct roads that could 
be made, with due regard to the bodily needs of those 
who traveled from one part of the Great West to 
another. 

As the traders in furs journeyed from tribe to tribe 
of the Indians, or sought the most favored places for 
trapping, they learned how white men could go west- 
ward from the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean 
without fear of dying from hunger or thirst. 

My father, Pierre Laclede, was, as I have said, a 
free trader, which means that he went out into the 
wilderness with his crew of boatmen and trappers, free 
from any bargains or duties to the great fur trading 
companies, such as the Hudson's Bay, the Northwest, 
and the X. Y. 

There were regular battles fought between the hunt- 
ers and trappers of these great companies in the olden 



WHY I AM NOT A FUR TRADER ii 

days, when St. Louis was under Spanish rule and had 
become a famous gathering place for the fur traders. 

There were many like my father, who, hiring men to 
help them, carried into the wilderness goods to be ex- 
changed with the Indians for furs, and, failing in this, 
set about trapping fur-bearing animals throughout the 
winter season. 

Wonderful sport these same traders had, as I know 
full well, having been more than once with my father 
over that trail leading from the Missouri River to the 
Oregon country. 

Then there was the home-coming to St. Louis, when 
every man forgot the days on which he had been cold or 
hungry, and no longer heeded the half-healed wounds 
received in Indian attacks, when he had been forced 
to defend with his life the furs he had gathered. 

Once in St. Louis, what rare times of feasting and 
making merry, while the furs were being shipped to 
New Orleans, or bartered to the big companies that 
were ever on the watch for the return of the free traders ! 

WHY I AM NOT A FUR TRADER 

I, Antoine Laclede, would have followed in the foot- 
steps of my father, becoming myself a free trader after 
the treacherous Blackfeet Indians killed him, had it 
not been that my mother, with her arms around my 
neck, pleaded that I remain at home with her. 



12 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



Therefore, instead of carrying on my father's busi- 
ness as a lad of fifteen should have done, I strove to 

content myself at St. Louis, 
to the pleasure of my dear 
mother. 
i^^-^^^^/^ However much affection 

V^^P/^^) there might be between us, it 

^ remained that we must be 

supplied with food, and that 
my mother should have the 
things necessary for her com- 
fort. 

But if I did not take up 
my father's business after he 
had lost, with his life, the 
store of furs which he had 
been eight months in gather- 
ing, as well as what remained 
of the goods he had carried into the wilderness for 
trading, then how could I rightly fill the position as 
head of the family, when all I had in this world were 
my two hands and the desire to make my mother 
happy ? 

We lived on a street near the old cathedral, and it 
may be that our small home was not the most pleas- 
ing to look upon of all the houses in St. Louis; but 
in it I was born. My father had built it, paying for 




STRIVING TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE 13 

every timber with furs he had gathered at risk of his 
life, and I would not have yielded it in exchange for 
the finest house in the land. 

The evil days fell upon us, meaning my mother and 
me, very shortly after the news of my father's murder 
was brought to St. Louis, for we soon came to know 
that we had neither goods nor furs enough to keep us 
one full year. 

STRIVING TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE 

Then it was that I went out one day alone to the 
river bank, where I might have sohtude and think 
how I could care for my mother as the only son of a 
widow should care for that person whom he most 
loves. 

I had lived fifteen years. There was no trapper in 
the Northwest Company who could take more furs 
than I could. To ride and shoot were my pleasures, 
and my urihappiness was in being forced to set down 
words with a pen, or to puzzle my poor brain over 
long rows of figures which must have been invented 
only for the sorrow, of Antoine Laclede. 

My rifle and Napoleon, a small spotted pony that 
could outkick any beast this side the Rocky Moun- 
tains, made up all I owned of value, and yet with 
them I must earn enough to support my mother and 
make her comfortable. 



14 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



The truth is, I might have joined with some free 
trader who had known my father, working for a small 
wage, which would not be more than enough to supply 

my mother with food and clothes 

such as had been provided by 

my father; but I must earn 

more than that, lest the day 

should come when, from wounds 

or sickness, I could not hold up 

my end with my 

companions on the 

trail or with the 

traps. 

All this made my 
heart heavy as I sat 
there on the river 
bank asking myself 
what there was a 
lad like me could 
do. 

Just at that time, 
when I was most 
downhearted, a man, tall of stature and spare in 
flesh, came up close beside me, and, as it seemed, 
looked down with much mirth in his heart, perhaps 
because I carried such a woebegone expression on 
my face. 




AN INQUISITIVE STRANGER 15 

AN INQUISITIVE STRANGER 

Then, much to my surprise, he said, speaking in 
what seemed an odd tone, much as though he had a 
cold in his head : — 

''Are you the son of Laclede, the free trader who 
was killed by the Blackfeet Indians not so long 
ago?'' 

I was ever proud to own that I was my father's 
son, and speedily gave the stranger an answer, although 
at the same time asking myself whether there was any 
good reason for such a question, or if he was intending 
to make sport of me. 

''I am told that you have been over the trail 'twixt 
here and the Oregon country with your father, lad?" 

''I have been twice into the land of the Walla Wallas, 
but no farther than that, although it would have 
pleased me well could I have seen the great ocean." 

''Now I am not so certain where the country of 
what you call the Walla Wallas may be," the man 
said with a puzzled expression upon his face, where- 
upon I answered quickly, proud because of being able 
to tell : — 

"It is this side the Cascade Range, the other side 
of the Blue Mountains, near where the Columbia 
River takes a sharp turn to the westward." 

"The Columbia River, eh?" the man repeated, as 

ANTOINE OF OREGON — 2 



i6 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



if satisfied with my reply. ''Then you surely must 
have traveled near to the Pacific Ocean?" 

''I have been so near that one might go down the 
river to it in a canoe, if he were so disposed ; but 
there is a station of the Hudson's Bay Company near 
the coast and we free traders who deal with the North- 
west Company have no desire for traffic with those 
who would shut us out from St. Louis, fearing lest 
we may cut into their trade." 



AN UNEXPECTED PROPOSITION 

The man seated himself by my side as if satisfied 
that I was the one whom he sought, and began his 
business by saying : — 

"My name is John Mitchell. I am at the head of a 
party of thirty men, women, and children who are 

bound for the 
Oregon country. 
We are taking 
with us forty 
head of oxen, 
twenty horses, ten 
mules, and thirty 
cows, to say noth- 
ing of the re- 
mainder of the outfit. I counted on meeting here at 
St. Louis a man who would guide us across, but find 




AN UNEXPECTED PROPOSITION 17 

that he has left us in the lurch, likely because of 
getting a better offer from some other company of 
settlers. Now I have been told that you could serve 
us as guide ; that you are what may be called a fairly 
good hunter ; and, although you look a bit too young 
for the business, there are those here in St. Louis 
who say you may be depended upon. What about 
guiding my party across? We are willing to pay 
considerably more than fair wages — " 

^'It may not be for me to do any such thing," I 
replied quickly, although at the same time wishing I 
could go once more into the Oregon country and do a 
man's work as guide. "I have here my mother, who 
has no other to depend upon, and I must stand by her, 
as a son should." 

^^Well said, lad, well said. It does you credit to 
think first of your mother; but we are willing to pay 
considerable money to one who can guide us, because 
this kind of traveling is new to all my party. Already 
in coming up from Indiana we have had trouble with 
the cattle and with the teams. Now say three hun- 
dred dollars for the trip, and if you are minded to 
take your mother with you we stand ready to let her 
share in whatsoever we have." 

There is no reason why I should set down all we 
said, for we sat there on the river bank until an hour 
had passed, talking all the while. 



i8 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

Each moment I grew more and more eager for the 
adventure, until it seemed to me I had never had but 
one desire in Kfe, and that to go into the Oregon coun- 
try and make there a home for my mother. 

I promised to meet the man again that evening 
and went straight away home to lay the matter before 
my mother. It surprised me not a little that she 
seemed to be in favor of going to the Oregon country, 
and I have since been led to believe that her willing- 
ness to abandon the home in St. Louis came from the 
wish to make a change and to leave that place where 
everything must needs remind her of my father. 

I SET OUT AS A GUIDE 

Before seeking out John Mitchell, whose company 
was encamped on the opposite side of the river, I 
visited a neighbor who had once offered to buy our 
home. With him I agreed that for a certain sum of 
money he should take possession of the house, using 
it as his own until my mother and I came back, 
or, in case we remained in the Oregon country, then 
he was to pay us as many dollars as we agreed upon. 

That afternoon, an hour before sunset, I paddled 
across the river to where John Mitchell's company 
was encamped, and for the first time I questioned 
whether it might be possible for me, a lad only fifteen 
years of age, to guide all these people, who seemingly 



I SET OUT AS A GUIDE 19 

had no more idea of what was to be encountered in a 
journey to the Oregon country, than if they had never 
heard of such a place. 

I dare venture to say there could not have been 
found in St. Louis a lad over ten years old who would 



have shown so much ignorance in forming a camp, 
as did John Mitchell, who held himself commander 
of the company. 

True, there was no reason why they need guard 
themselves as if in the country of an enemy. Yet 



20 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

if they were careless at the start, heeding not the com- 
mon precautions against the stampeding of their cattle, 
or the possibihty that prowling Indians might steal 
whatever lay carelessly around, then surely when in a 
place where danger lurked, they could not be depended 
upon to care for themselves in a sensible manner. 

Somewhat of this I said to John Mitchell while 
looking around the encampment, and that he himself 
was ignorant of what might be met with on a journey 
to the Oregon country, was shown when he asked : — 

''And are you reckoning, lad, that we may come 
upon much danger?" 

''Ay, sir, and plenty of it," I replied. "Just now 
the Indians are quiet, so I have heard it said by the 
traders ; but even when there is no disturbance of any 
account, you are likely to come upon roving bands 
that will make trouble. Even though they may do 
no worse, you can set it down as a fact that from the 
time of leaving the settlement of Independence, where 
the journey really begins, until you have come into 
the Walla Walla country, there will be hardly a day, 
or, I should say, a night, when you are not in danger 
of losing your stock through these red thieves." 

JOHN Mitchell's outfit 
There was one thing in favor of John Mitchell, as 
I looked at the matter, which was that his outfit was 



JOHN MITCHELL'S OUTFIT 



21 



most complete. He had five well-made carts with 
straight bodies, and sideboards from fourteen to six- 
teen inches wide running outward four or five inches; 
in other words, what are called ''Mormon wagons," 
and to three of these he counted on putting four yoke 
of cattle apiece. I was not so well satisfied with this, 
for the beasts had been raised in Indiana, and therefore 
were not accustomed to eating prairie 
grass, which would be the greater 




portion of their 

food during the journey. 

I had always heard it said 
that Illinois or Missouri cattle could stand the journey 
to the Oregon country better than any others, although 
then I did not know it from my own experience. 

The ten mules were to be used for the hauling of 
the two remaining wagons. To one of these -would 
be harnessed six of the animals, and the other, in 
which many of the women and children were to ride, 
was to be drawn by four. The horses were to be 
used under the saddle. 



22 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

I was forced to admit that Mitchell had not been 
niggardly in outfitting his company. 

He had no less than five sheet-iron stoves with boilers, 
one being carried on a small platform at the rear end 
of each wagon. There were tents in abundance for 
all the company, while for cooking utensils, there were 
plates and cups and basins of tinware, half a dozen or 




more churns, an ample supply of water kegs, and 
farming tools almost without number. 

I had little or no interest in this part of the outfit, 
but took good care to make certain there were ropes 
and hobble straps in plenty for tying up the horses 
and fettering those that were likely to stray, because 
I knew from experience how much of such supplies 
might be lost or stolen during the long journey. 



MAKING THE BARGAIN 23 

The weapons carried by the men were of heavier 
cahber than I would have suggested, unless they 
counted on using them wholly for buffalo shooting. 
John Mitchell took no little pride in showing me his 
rifled gun which carried thirty-two bullets to the 
pound, when to my mind fifty-six would have served 
him better for general work; but that was really no 
concern of mine. 

MAKING THE BARGAIN 

We talked over the matter fairly and at great length, 
all the men of the company and some of the women 
taking part in the parley. The bargain, as I under- 
stood it, was that I was hired for no other service 
than to guide this company, and also to make sugges- 
tions as to the best places for camping, as well as 
how we could keep the people supplied with fresh meat; 

It was agreed that my mother should ride in the 
four-mule wagon with John Mitchell's family, which 
consisted of his wife, a girl about my own age by 
name of Susan, and three awkward-looking boys. 
The oldest of these lads was not more than ten, I 
should think, and all of them were so clumsy that it 
seemed almost impossible for them to avoid treading 
on their own feet. About mounting a horse or round- 
ing up cattle, they knew no more than my Napoleon 
knew about good manners. 



24 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



Susan, however, was a sprightly girl, who, as it 
seemed to me, had more good sense in her little finger 
than might be found in all the rest of the family. 
Before my visit was at an end, she came to ask con- 
cerning this or that which we might meet with on the 
way, and I believed I had found 
one who would be a most desir- 
able comrade. 

Unless I mistook her en- 
tirely, she was a girl to be 
depended upon in the time 
of trouble, and when one 
would travel from the 
Missouri River to the 
Oregon country, it is of 
the greatest importance 
to have with him only 
those who can be relied 
on to a certainty when 
danger lurks at hand, as it surely does, so I have heard 
my father say, from the time the voyager leaves the 
Kansas River until he has come to the Columbia. 

It was agreed that my mother and I should have a 
day in which to make ready for this journey, which, 
if we met with no serious mishaps, would require not 
less than five months to make ; therefore it can well 
be understood that we had little time to spend in sleep, 




WE LEAVE ST. LOUIS 25 

if we would present ourselves to John Mitchell at the 
hour agreed upon. 

It is my desire never to make a promise which I do 
not, or cannot keep; consequently there were many 
things left undone in St. Louis when mother and I 
crossed the river; but it was better thus than that 
I should disappoint ever so slightly those with whom I 
had made a positive agreement. 

WE LEAVE ST. LOUIS 

In order that one may the better understand how 
much of a journey it is from the Missouri River to 
the Oregon country, I set down here the fact that at 
eleven o'clock in the forenoon, on the twenty -fifth day 
of April, in the year 1845, we, meaning John Mitchell's 
company, my mother, and I, set off on that long march. 
The real journey would not begin until we had passed 
that settlement on the Missouri known as Independ- 
ence, which is the point of departure for those who 
count on traversing the Oregon or the Santa Fe trail. 

Therefore concerning this portion of our march I 
shall content myself simply with saying that we arrived 
at Independence on the morning of May 6th, and 
made camp two miles beyond, on the bank of a small 
creek, where there was plenty of grass for the cattle. 

It must be understood that up to this time we had 
been traveling through one settlement and another 



26 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

in a portion of the country where were to be found 
as many people as hved, mayhap, in the neighborhood 
from which John Mitchell had come. Yet so awk- 
ward were the men and boys, that while we were travers- 
ing beaten roads they found it exceedingly difficult to 
keep the cows from straying or the oxen from stamped- 
ing even while they were yoked and hitched to the 
heavy wagons. 

I do not claim to have had any experience at driv- 
ing oxen or herding cattle, and therefore I held myself 
aloof, saying it were better these people from Indiana 
should learn their lesson when there were but few 
difficulties in the way and no dangers, so that after 
we should come where the real labor began, they 
might at least have some slight idea of what was ex- 
pected of them. 

THE HARDSHIPS TO BE ENCOUNTERED 

But for the fact that Susan Mitchell, riding upon 
a small black, wiry-looking horse, held herself well 
by my side, I would have been disheartened even 
before we had really begun the journey, because 
I was looking forward to what we must encounter, 
and saying to myself that unless these people could 
pull themselves together in better fashion, we were 
certain to come to grief. 

When a company fails to herd thirty cows, over 



THE HARDSHIPS TO BE ENCOUNTERED 27 



what might well be called a beaten highway, what 
would you expect when in a country where the 
Indians are doing all they can to stampede and run 
off cattle as well as horses ? 

I soon saw that Susan was a girl of good under- 
standing, for without a word having been spoken, 
she seemed to realize those fears which had come 

into my mind, and said again 
and again as if to strengthen 




my courage: — 
''They will 
know more about this 
kind of traveling when we reach Independence.'^ 

I could not refrain from saying in reply that unless 
they learned more speedily it would be well we waited 
a full year at Independence, rather than attempt a 
journey where so much danger and hardship awaited 
us. 

I venture to say that there was not one among 
John Mitchell's company who could have put a pack 
upon a horse in such a manner that it would hold in 



28 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

place half an hour over rough traveling; and as for 
handhng a mule team, the driver of that wagon in 
which my mother rode had no more idea of how the 
beasts should be treated than if he had so many sheep 
in harness. 

To show how ignorant these people were regarding 
the country, I have only to say that from the moment 
we left St. Louis one or another was continually ask- 
ing me whether we were likely to come upon buffaloes 
before the night had set. The idea of buffaloes 
between St. Louis and Independence, save perchance 
we came upon some old bull that had been driven 
away from the herd by the hunters ! 

It was by my advice that John Mitchell decided to 
overhaul his outfit at Independence in order to learn 
whether there might be anything needed, for after 
having left the settlement we would find no oppor- 
tunity of replenishing our stores save at some one of 
the forts, and then it was a question, serious indeed, 
whether we could get what might be needed. 

THE CAMP AT INDEPENDENCE 

The tents were hardly more than set up, and the 
women had but just got about their cooking, for the 
breakfast had been a hasty meal owing to our being 
so near the settlement, when we were visited by a 
dozen or more 'Kansas Indians, who are about as dis- 



THE CAMP AT INDEPENDENCE 



29 



reputable a looking lot as can be found in the country 
— dirty, ill-favored red men with ragged blankets 
cast about them, and seeming more like beggars than 
anything else. 

To tell the truth, I would rather have seen around 
the camp a Blackfoot, a Cheyenne, or a Sioux, know- 
ing that any of them would murder me if he had a 




fair opportunity, than those 
beggarly Kansas savages. 
It was the first time any of the women of our com- 
pany, save my mother, had seen an Indian near his 
own village, and straightway all of them, with the 
exception of Susan, were in a panic of fear, believing 
harm would be done. 

Even John Mitchell was undecided as to how he 
should treat them, until I told him that any attempt 



30 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

to drive the creatures away would be useless, and 
that if his people were so disposed they might give 
them some food; but it was in the highest degree 
necessary that sharp watch be kept, else we would 
find much of our outfit missing after the visitors had 
taken their departure. 

The men and the boys of our company were so dis- 
quieted because of having come thus suddenly upon the 
Indians, that they kept good watch over the camp dur- 
ing this first day, and it would have been well for all of 
us if they had continued to stand as honest guard over 
their belongings. 

It was found that we were needing extra bows for the 
wagons, meaning those bent hoops over which the can- 
vas covering i^ stretched, that the supply of shoes for 
the horses and mules was not sufficient, and, in fact, 
there were half a hundred little things required which the 
women believed necessary to their comfort. 

Therefore John Mitchell and I went into the settle- 
ment to get what was wanted, and, like the good com- 
rade she gave promise of being, Susan insisted on going 
with us. 

A FRONTIER TOWN 

Independence was much like a trading post, save 
that there were no blockhouses; but the log tavern 
had the appearance of a building put up to resist an 
attack, and the brick houses surrounding it were made 



A FRONTIER TOWN 



31 



with heavy walls in which were more than one loop- 
hole for defense. 

The idea that the settlement was a frontier post 
was heightened by the number of Indians to be seen, 
while their scrawny ponies were tied _._-_ 
here and there in every available place. 

There were the wretched 
Kansas, only half covered 
with their greasy, torn 
blankets, Shawnees, ^|^|f ^^i/ ^4J\ ' 
decked out in 
caHcoes and fanciful 
stuff. Foxes, with 
their shaved heads 
and painted faces, 
and here and there a 
Cheyenne sporting 
his war bonnet of feathers. 

The scene was not new t 
me, and so did not invite my atten- 
tion ; but Susan, who seemingly believed that she had 
suddenly come into the very heart of the Indian 
country, was so interested that I went with her here 
and there, while her father was bartering in the shops, 
and before an hour had passed her idea of an Indian 
was far different from what it had been before she 
left her home in Indiana. 

ANTOINE OF OREGON — 3 




32 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



I had nothing to say against the savages more than 
can be set down when I speak of the murder of my 
father, and save for the fact that Susan was so eager 
to see all she might, and that everything was so strange 




to her, I would not have lingered in the settlement a 
single minute longer than was necessary to complete 
our outfit. 

There were here Santa Fe traders in Mexican cos- 
tume ; French trappers from the mountains, with 
their long hair and buckskin clothing; groups of 



THE START FROM INDEPENDENCE 33 

Spaniards, who were evidently bound down the 
Santa Fe trail ; and here and there and everywhere 
as it seemed, were people from the States, emigrants 
like those who followed John Mitchell, to the number, 
I should say, of not less than two hundred, all expect- 
ing to make homes in the Oregon country. 

It saddened me to think of what was before these 
people. To gain the banks of the Columbia River 
they must travel more than two thousand miles, in 
part over sandy plains, where would be found little 
or no water for themselves and scanty feed for their 
animals. There were rivers to be crossed where the 
current ran so swiftly that a single misstep might 
mean death. Mountain ranges were to be climbed 
when even the strongest would find it difficult to 
make progress, and all the while danger from wild 
beasts or wilder men. 

And it was I who must show these men when and 
where to camp, how to bring down the game which 
would be necessary for their very existence, and lead 
them, in fact, as one might lead children. 

THE START FROM INDEPENDENCE 

We remained in camp by the creek until next morn- 
ing, and then our way lay over the rolling prairies, 
where was grass on every hand and water in abun- 
dance, yet we made only fifteen miles between eight 



34 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



o'clock in the morning and within an hour of sunset, 
owing to the awkwardness of those who were striving 
to drive our few head of cattle. 

Then came the first real camp, meaning the first 
time we had halted where it was necessary to guard 
everything we owned against the Indians, for we knew 
full well there were plenty in the 
vicinity of Independence, and I 
strove my best to show 
these people how an 




encampment should be formed 
on the prairie. 
It was difficult to persuade John Mitchell that it 
would be better to give the horses and mules a side 
hobble, than to take chances of securing them by picket 
ropes. I had always heard that by buckling a strap 
around the fore and hind legs, on the same side, taking 
due care not to chafe the animal's legs, he could not 



CARELESS TRAVELERS 35 

move away faster than a walk, while if he was hobbled 
by the forefeet only, it would be possible for him to 
gallop after some practice. 

There were many in our party who claimed it was a 
useless precaution to hobble the horses, and insisted 
on fastening them to picket pins, doing so in such 
a slovenly manner that I knew if the animals were 
stampeded they could easily make their escape. 

Before morning came we had good proof that care- 
lessness in looking after the live stock at such a time 
is much the same as a crime. 

CARELESS TRAVELERS 

When I proposed that watch be set around the 
encampment during the night, every man, even in- 
cluding John Mitchell, protested, saying it was a 
needless precaution, that they were all needing sleep* 
and there was no reason why any should stand guard 
when they could look around on every hand and 
make certain there was no one near to do them harm. 

One of the women asked me if there might be any 
danger from wild beasts, and when I told her we had 
not yet come into that part of the country where 
such game were found, every member of the company 
believed I was only trying to show myself as the 
commander. 

I heard one of the men say grumblingly to another, 



36 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



that he was not minded to put himself under the 
orders of a boy who took pleasure in displaying his 
authority even to the extent of making them stand 
needless watch. 

Never had I seen my father make camp, even though 
no more than two miles from a fort or a settlement, 
without carefully hobbhng his horses, rounding up the 

cattle, if he had any, and sta- 
tioning a picket guard, 
insisting that those on 
duty remain awake 
during every hour of 
the night. 

Now, however, these 
people from Indiana, 
who knew nothing 
whatsoever of travel- 
ing in the wilderness, 
V2>|^^^^ claimed to have a 
better idea of how camp should be guarded than did I, 
who had already traversed the Oregon trail twice, and 
I so far lost my temper as to make no reply, saying 
to myself that if they were inchned to take desperate 
chances, the loss would be theirs, not mine. 

Mayhap if we had been farther along the trail 
.among the mountains, where the danger would be 
greater if we lost all our animals, then for my mother's 




CARELESS TRAVELERS 37 

sake I might have insisted strongly that the orders 
which I gave should be obeyed. 

As I have said, however, I held my peace, while 
those foolish people lay down to sleep in their tents, 
or in the wagon bodies, believing they were safe be- 
yond any possible chance of danger simply because of 
being no more than seventeen miles from Independence. 

I must say to John Mitchell's credit that he outfitted 
me as he would have done an older guide, and set 
apart for my especial use one of the small canvas tents. 

Believing that my mother would have more comfort 
by herself ih^n if she shared a bed in one of the larger 
tents, or in one of the wagons where so many must 
sleep, I proposed that she use my camp, and we two 
laid ourselves down that night feeling uncomfortable 
in mind, for she understood quite as well as did I that 
we were taking great chances at the outset of the 
journey. 

I had hobbled Napoleon securely, as you can well 
fancy. In addition to that I had made him fast to a 
picket pin firmly driven into the ground so there 
might be no danger of his straying too far away. 

It was not a simple matter to enjoy the resting 
time, because of the weight of responsibility which 
was upon me. 

Even though John Mitchell's people were not in- 
clined to obey such orders as I saw fit to give, yet I 



38 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



knew that in event of trouble they would cast all the 
blame on my shoulders, and not until a full hour had 
passed were my eyes closed in slumber. 



OVERRUN BY WILD HORSES 



It seemed as if I had hardly more than lost myself 
in sleep when I was aroused by a noise like distant 
thunder, and springing to my feet, as I had been 




taught to do by my father at the first suspicious 
sound, I stood at the door of the tent while one might 
have counted ten, before realizing that a herd of those 
wild ponies which are to be found now and then on 
the prairies was coming upon us. 

Once before in my life had I seen horses and cattle 
stampeded by a herd of those little animals, and with- 
out loss of time I rushed into the open air, shouting 
loudly for the men to bear a hand, at the same time 
discharging all the chambers of my weapon. 



OVERRUN BY WILD HORSES 39 

Unfortunately, however, I was too late to avert the 
evil. If we had had a single man on guard he could 
have given warning in time for us to have checked 
the rush; but as it was the ponies were within the 
encampment before I had emptied my weapon. 

John Mitchell had not brushed the slumber from his 
eyelids before the ponies overran the camp and passed 
on at full speed, taking with them every horse, mule, 
ox, and cow we had among us, save only Napoleon, 
who would have joined in the flight had it been pos- 
sible for him to do so. 

"What has happened? What was it?" John 
Mitchell cried as he came running toward my tent 
with half a dozen of the other men at his heels, and I 
replied with no Kttle bitterness in my tone : — • 

"A herd of wild ponies has stampeded every head 
of stock, except Napoleon.'' . 

"But my horse was made fast," one man cried, as 
if, because he had left the animal with his leading rope 
around a picket pin loosely driven, it would have been 
impossible for him to get away. 

The driver of the four-mule team declared that his 
stock could not have been run off because he had seen 
to it that each animal was hitched securely, while a 
third insisted that we must have been visited by the 
Indians, who had frightened the beasts in order the 
better to carry them away. 



40 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

I could not refrain from saying what was true : — 

"If we had had but one man on guard this could 
not have happened. I tell you that the disturbance 
this night was caused by a- herd of wild ponies." 

''Then why do we not go in search of the stock?" 
John Mitchell cried, and I replied : — 

''That you may do, if it please you; but I have 
never yet seen the man who, on foot, could come up 
with a horse that had joined the wild of his kind. 
When the morning dawns, I will do all I can to aid in 
gathering up the stock, but until then there is nothing 
to be done." 

Then, with much anger in my heart because this 
thing had happened through sheer carelessness, I 
went back into my tent, nor would I have more 
to say to any member of the company, although no 
less than half a dozen men stood outside asking this 
question or that, all of which simply served to show 
their folly. 

SEARCHING FOR THE LIVE STOCK 

When day broke John Mitchell was man enough 
to meet me as I came out of my tent, and say in what 
he intended should be a soothing tone : — ■ 

"I am willing to admit, lad, that we showed our- 
selves foolish in not obeying your orders. From now 
on you can make certain every man jack of us will 



SEARCHING FOR THE LIVE STOCK 41 

do whatsoever you say. Now tell us how we had 
best set off in search of the stock." 

''There is no haste. The horses and mules will 
run with the ponies until they are tired and need food, 
therefore we may eat our breakfast leisurely. My 
advice is that the company get under way, moving a 




few miles across the prairie to the next creek, while 
all, save those needed to' drive the teams, go with me." 

''But we can't start a single wheel. There is no 
ox, horse, or mule in the encampment," John Mitchell 
cried, and then my face flushed with shame because 
I had forgotten for the instant that we had no means 
of breaking camp. 

There is little need why I should spend many words 



42 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

in telling of what we did during that day. Within 
an hour we found one of the mules and succeeded in 
getting hold of his leading rope. Before noon we had 
overtaken all the cows and eight of the oxen, bringing 
them back to camp while the wild ponies circled 
around the prairie within seven or eight miles of us, 
as if laughing to scorn our poor attempts to catch the 
horses which they had stolen. 

The afternoon was not yet half spent when we 
succeeded in gathering up all our stock save two 
horses and two mules, and then I insisted we should 
go on without them. 

"Between here and the Columbia River we shall 
lose more stock than that," I said, ''and if we are to 
reach the Oregon country before winter sets in, such 
misadventures as this must not be allowed to delay 
us." 

ABANDONING THE MISSING ANIMALS 

I noted that more than one of the men wore a dis- 
satisfied look, as if believing we should remain at 
this camp until all the stock had been found; but 
mayhap they remembered that the loss was caused 
by their not listening to me, and not a word was said 
in protest. 

Next day, without giving further heed to the horses 
and mules that were with the pony herd, we pushed 
forward toward the Oregon country once more, travel- 



MEETING WITH OTHER EMIGRANTS 43 

ing twenty-two miles and in the meanwhile crossing 
the Wakarusa River. 

Then came a stretch of prairie land, and after that, 
near nightfall, we arrived at the Kansas River, where 
camp was made. 

This time you may set it down as certain that when 
I claimed we ought to set a picket guard, there were 
none to say me nay. Even more, I noticed that 
every man carefully hobbled his horses or his mules, 
as I hobbled Napoleon, and when I went into my tent 
I said to myself that we need have no fear of trouble 
that night. 

When we started out next day, Susan Mitchell 
insisted on riding by my side. She held her place 
there until we made camp, although it was no slight 
task, for while the company was passing over twenty 
miles of distance, I had ridden from the front to the 
rear of the train mayhap twelve times, thereby almost 
doubling the length of the journey. 

Not once did the plucky girl show signs of faltering, 
even though a good half of the day's march was up 
the side of a ridge and along the top of it, where the 
way was hard even for those of us who were riding 
light. 

MEETING WITH OTHER EMIGRANTS 

We were traveling within two or three miles of the 
Kansas River, not yet having come to the ford, when 



44 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



at about four o'clock in the afternoon we overtook a 
company of people who were bound for the Oregon 
country, having in their train twenty-eight wagons. 

At first John Mitchell was eager to join the strangers 
as they suggested; but he lost much of the desire on 
being told that two miles in advance was another 
party having nearly a hundred wagons. I really 




believe the man grew confused when he learned there 
were so many people on the Oregon trail. 

When he asked my advice as to joining the larger 
company, I told him that my father had ever said if 
he could travel independently of any one else, it was 
profitable for him to do so, for then he was forced 
neither to go faster than he desired, nor remain idle 
when it pleased him to push on. 

I asked John Mitchell how much he could gain by 
forming a small part of such a large company, unless. 



MEETING WITH OTHER EMIGRANTS 45 

perhaps, he intended to dismiss me as guide, where- 
upon he assured me heartily that he had no such idea, 
but it seemed to him we might join the strangers for 
mutual assistance. 

It was not for me to do more than offer advice, 
and I told him that unless we came upon hostile Indians, 
we had best continue on by ourselves, for the time 
was coming, and not very far in the future, when we 
should be put to it to find grass for the cattle and 
fuel with which to cook our food. At such times the 
smaller the company, the less chance for suffering. 

It was Susan who settled the matter, for she said 
very decidedly that I, who had already traveled over 
the Oregon trail twice, ought to know more about 
such affairs than any other in the company. 

When she had spoken, her father held his peace as 
if convinced that her words were wise. 

We did not overtake the company of a hundred 
wagons that night, but camped near a small brook 
about four miles from the Kansas River, I having led 
the people off the trail a mile or more so that we might 
not be joined by those emigrants in the rear. 

Next morning we traveled four miles to the river 
ford, and there found the water already so high that 
there was nothing to do but to ferry our wagons over 
in a flatboat owned by a man named Choteau whom 
I had already known in St. Louis. 



46 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



He was no relative of that famous Choteau of the 
fur company, but a very obHging Frenchman indeed, 
who, because of his acquaintance with me, did all he 




could to hasten our move- 
ments. It was necessary we 
have a friend in such work, for it was a hard task to 
make the journey back and forth across that muddy 
stream, which was at least two hundred and fifty 
yards wide, when we could carry only one unloaded 
wagon at a time. 



A TEMPEST 

It was nearly nightfall before we were all across with 
our outfit and cattle, and then I gave the word that 
we should encamp within a mile of the stream, for I 
was not pleased with the appearance of dark clouds 
which were rolling up from the west. 

It would have been better had I halted the company 



A TEMPEST 



47 



when we first crossed, for before we could get the 
tents up and the wagons in place, a terrific storm of 
thunder and lightning was upon us. 

Instantly, as it seemed, our oxen and cows were 
stampeded, rushing off across the prairie like 
wild things, and although I did my best to 
round them up, all efforts were vain. 

There was nothing for it but 
to let them go, and seek shelter 
from the down- 
pour of water, 




which was so heavy that at times one could hardly 
stand against it. 

Susan Mitchell had followed my mother into the 
tent which I had taken care to set up immediately we 
halted, and because there was no other shelter save 
the overcrowded wagons, the girl was there when I 

ANTOINE OF OREGON — 4 



48 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

entered. It made my heart ache to see the evidences 
of her fright. Well was it for her that she was with 
my mother, for I truly believe none could have soothed 
her fears so readily. 

I left the two together while the storm was at its 
height, and sought shelter in one of the wagons, be- 
lieving the tempest would continue to rage throughout 
the night. 

Next morning, before day had fully come, I aroused 
all the men. We saddled our horses and set out in 
search of the cattle, John Mitchell saying in a grumbling 
tone as he rode forward, that it seemed to him as if 
he was ''doing more in the way of running down oxen 
and cows, than in making any progress toward the 
Oregon country." 

Hardly realizing how true my words might prove to 
be, I told him laughingly that we were likely to get 
more of such work as the days wore on, rather than 
less, and another four and twenty hours had not 
passed before he came to believe that I was a true 
prophet. 

Not until noon did we succeed in getting all the 
live stock rounded up, and I believed we were exceed- 
ingly fortunate in not losing a single animal, for it 
seldom happens, as I have heard, that cattle can be 
stampeded during the night and every one brought 
into camp next morning. 



FACING THE INDIANS 49 

It was my belief that we ought to travel rapidly 
during the afternoon and until a reasonably late hour 
in the night, in order to make up the time we had 
lost; but it is one thing to say and quite another 
matter to accomplish. 



FACING THE INDIANS 

After traveling no more than three miles we arrived 
at Big Soldier Creek. As Susan and I were riding 
on in advance to make certain the ford was safe for 
heavy wagons, I saw coming down over a slight incline 
a band of mounted Indians, who immediately, on see- 
ing our company, came forward at full speed, brandish- 
ing bows and arrows, or guns, accordingly as they were 
armed, and yelling furiously. 

Susan Mitchell screamed with fear, as well she 
might; but I had already seen just such an Indian 
maneuver and knew what it meant. I hurriedly told 
her to ride back and join the company, while I held 
Napoleon steady. 

Their intention was to stampede the cattle, as I 
well knew, and although it would have been unwise for 
me to have sent a bullet among them, it was my pur- 
pose to do so if I failed in checking their advance 
otherwise. 

Then Napoleon took the matter into his own hands, 



50 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



or, I should say, his own feet, for when the Indians 
were perhaps thirty yards away he wheeled about, 
flinging up his heels as if he counted on kicking the 
entire band over the ridge. 

Do what I might I could not get the stubborn ani- 
mal wheeled around before the savages had rushed by 




me, whooping and yelling in such a manner as caused 
a panic among our company and a stampede of the 
beasts. 

The oxen wheeled around in the yokes until they 
were so mixed up that the most expert would have 
found it difficult to untangle them, while the cows, 
their tails straight up in the air, fled back over the 
trail, bellowing with fright. 



TEACHING THE PAWNEES A LESSON 



51 



TEACHING THE PAWNEES A LESSON 

By the time all this mischief had been done, Napoleon 
was ready to attend to his own business once more, 
and I rode among the company to find the people in 
such a state of panic and fear as one would hardly credit. 

"Get your rifles and follow me!" I shouted as I 
rushed forward, and it is quite certain that more than 




one of the men cried after me 
to come back, for all were so 
terrified that they would have 
suffered the loss of the stock rather than make any 
attempt at reclaiming it. 

It must not be supposed that I am trying to make 
it appear as if I was wondrously brave in thus giving 
chase. I knew from the experience gained while with 
my father, that there is but one way to treat these 
savages, and that is to put on a bold front. 



52 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

After doing any mischief the Indians would go 
farther and farther, until having accomplished all their 
desires, if their victims made no attempt to defend 
themselves; therefore it was necessary that we make 
a decided stand. 

I knew full well that if we pursued, these Pawnees, 
as I judged them to be, would speedily be brought to 
their senses. Whereas if we remained idle in camp 
they would run off all the stock, and for us to lose that 
herd of cows at the very outset of the journey would 
indeed have been disastrous. 

It was fortunate for those under my charge that 
they followed as I commanded, even though they did 
not do so willingly. When we had ridden at our 
best pace six miles or more, we came upon all except 
three of the cows who, wearied with their mad race, 
were now feeding; but not a feather of an Indian 
could be seen. 

That the Pawnees knew we were coming in pursuit, 
there could be no doubt, and because they were not 
in war paint I understood that they must have an en- 
campment near by. 

Therefore, as soon as we had rounded up the cattle, 
I told John Mitchell it was our duty to search for the 
Indian camp, and there demand that they return to 
us, or aid us in searching for, the cows we failed to 
find. 



THE PAWNEE VILLAGE 53 

THE PAWNEE VILLAGE 

The man looked at me uncertainly an instant, as if 
questioning whether we had the pluck, as the Eastern- 
ers say, to ride into an Indian encampment. Then 
he said grimly, almost as if doubting his own judg- 
ment : — 

''I shall do as you say, boy; but if mischief comes 
of it, remember that I hold you responsible." 

''Mischief will surely come of it if we fail to put on 
a bold front," I replied hotly, and then wheeling Na- 
poleon around, I sent him ahead under the whip, 
which he richly deserved because, but for his foolish 
trick of kicking, all this mischief might have been 
spared us. 

We rode through our encampment, for by this time 
the lads and the women had set up some of the tents^ 
while one of the men who had remained behind was 
straightening out the oxen, and from there on a dis- 
tance of about three miles, when we found that for 
which we were searching. 

It was a Pawnee village, and in it there might have 
been forty men, women, and children, occupying say, 
ten tepees, or lodges, while there were so many ponies 
and dogs that one would hardly have had the patience 
to count them. 

We could see no signs of our cattle, nor did I expect 



54 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 




to find them there; 
but, riding directly 
into the center of the 
village, I brought 
Napoleon to a standstill, at the same time demanding 
in the Pawnee language, or such smattering of it as 
I could command, to be brought to the chief. 



A BOLD DEMAND 

Within a minute he came out from one of the lodges, 
and it gave me more courage when I noted the fact 
that he was looking disturbed in mind. 

I demanded that he, or some of his tribe, return to 
us the cows which had been driven away. 

If there had ever been such a being as an honest 
Indian, then I might have beheved we had come upon 
him, for this chief, knowing there were men enough 
in our company to wipe out his entire band, declared 



A BOLD DEMAND 



55 



again and again, with no little show of innocence, that 
neither he nor his young men had had anything to do 
with our cattle. 

Straightway I pointed here to one fellow and there 
to another, as two whom I recognized among those 




who had ridden over the ridge, and called the atten- 
tion of the chief to the ponies at the farther end of the 
village, which were yet covered with perspiration. 

Instead of staying there to parley with the fellows, 
T insisted that the cows be brought to us before another 



56 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

day had passed, and made many threats as to what 
would happen in case my demands were not compHed 
with. 

Then we rode out of the village. When we were 
some distance away, John Mitchell asked in a banter- 
ing tone if I really expected to see the cows again, 
whereupon I told him we would not move from the 
present encampment, save to punish the rascally 
Pawnees, until every head of the three had been 
brought to us. 

Because he laughed I saw that he believed that he 
never would see his cattle again ; but I was better 
acquainted with the Pawnees than he. 

I GAIN CREDIT AS A GUIDE 

Because of all that had happened I found no reason 
to complain of the manner in which watch was kept 
over the encampment that night, and at a fairly early 
hour next morning, even before I had begun to expect 
them, the Indians came into camp with two of the 
cows. They talked much about their innocence so 
far as causing a stampede and claimed that it was 
not possible to find the third beast. 

The Pawnee who acted as spokesman would have 
tried to make me believe they were simply in sport 
when they overrode our camp ; but I let him know 
that I was acquainted with such thievish tricks, and 



I GAIN CREDIT AS A GUIDE 



57 



threatened them as to the future, much as though I 
had a company of soldiers at my back. 

It may be that the Indians were not greatly 
frightened by what I said ; but certain it is that the 
members of John Mitchell's company began to beheve 
that I was to be treated less like a boy, and more after 
the manner of one who knew 
somewhat regarding the work in 
which we were engaged. 

They gave more heed to 
my words from that 
time on, and Susan 
Mitchell seemed to 
think I had done 
some wondrously 
brave deed when I 
frightened the cow- 
ardly red men, or 
attempted to ; but 
we never again saw that third cow. 

I beheve that the Pawnees , had 
hidden her, intending to have a great feast after we 
had gone away; but I dared not go any farther in 
the way of threats lest they openly defy me, when 
I would have been powerless because the men of our 
company were not equal to fighting the savages. 

I could have told Susan that if we had come across 




58 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



a party on the warpath, then my words would have 
been laughed at, and I might have found myself in 
serious trouble through making threats which could 
not be carried into execution. ^.'^r^*^:::>;^^ 



A DIFFICULT CROSSING 





^y jj^^^::^ 



^^/J 




Because of hav- 
ing been thus de- 
3 layed by waiting 
^ for the cattle, we 
traveled only five 
miles on this day, 
which, if I remember 
rightly, was the 14th of 
May. Then we arrived 
where Big Soldier Creek 
must be crossed, an un- 
dertaking I had been 
looking forward to with 
no little anxiety because 
the banks of the creek 
are very steep and it is 
impossible to drive either 



A DIFFICULT CROSSING 59 

mules or oxen down to the bed of the stream while 
attached to the wagons. 

We were forced to unyoke the oxen and unharness the 
mules, after which we let the wagons down by means 
of ropes, with four men to steer the tongue of each cart. 

The ford was shallow, but on the other side the 
banks loomed in front of us like the sides of a cliff. 
In order to get even the Hghtest wagon to the top we 
had to yoke all the oxen in one team, and even then 
every man of us put his shoulder to the tailboard, 
pushing and straining as we forced the heavy vehicle 
straight into the air, as one might say. 

One entire day was spent in crossing, and within an 
hour of sunset we pitched our tents on the high banks, 
where we let down buckets by ropes in order to get 
water for cooking, — this method being easier than 
scrambling up and down the steep incline. 

Before night had come a party of about sixty from 
the Ohio country joined us, having fifteen wagons. 

They were unaccustomed to such traveling, as I 
understood after seeing them make camp. When 
the leader came up to John Mitchell, proposing that 
we journey together from then onward, claiming that 
by thus increasing the numbers each company would 
be in greater security from the Indians, I gave my 
employer a look which I intended should say that we 
would travel as we had started, independently. 



6o 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



WASH DAY 



From this point on to the Little VermiHon Creek 
was eighteen miles over high, roUing prairie, and I 




rnnk t 
tfur^h- 



believed we ought to make it in one day's travel, 
which we did. 

We arrived at the creek about four o'clock in the 
afternoon, and within thirty minutes it seemed as if 
the banks of that small stream were Hterally lined 
with fires, over each of which was suspended a kettle 
filled with water. Tubs were brought out from all 
the wagons, for the women of our company had decided 



WASH DAY 



6i 



on making a "wash day" of the three or four hours 
remaining before sunset. 

On seeing that Susan Mitchell was not taking part 
in this labor, I proposed that we ride five or six miles 
onward, where I knew would be found quite a large 
village of Kansas Indians. She was only too well 




pleased with the proposition, even though having 
been in the saddle since early morning. 

To me one Indian village is much like another ; but 
before we had come to the end of our journey Susan 
could point out the difference between a Kansas, a 
Pawnee, a Cheyenne, or a Sioux tepee. 

The Kansas Indians make their houses about thirty 
feet in length by fifteen feet wide, and build them by 
sticking hickory saplings firmly into the ground in. 
the shape of the lodge desired. These are bent to 
form an arch eight to ten feet in height, when the tops 



62 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

of the saplings are bound together by willow twigs. 
This forms the inner framework, which is covered with 
bark taken from linden trees; over this is another 
frame of saplings, also tied with willows, to bind the 
whole together securely and prevent the coverings 
from being blown away during a high wind. 

Each of these lodges has one small door about four 
feet in height and three feet wide, while at the top of 
the hut is an opening for the smoke to pass out, when 
a fire is built in the center of the floor during cold or 
stormy weather. 

INDIAN PICTURES 

There were in the village when we arrived but few 
women and children, with here and there an old man, 
all the hunters having gone out, as I learned, hoping 
to find antelopes near at hand. 

Understanding by this information that there would 
be no attempt made to hinder us from gratifying our 
curiosity, I led Susan into one of the largest of the 
empty lodges. She was filled with wond^ because 
of the pictures, drawn with charcoal and colored with 
various paints, which were to be seen on the inside of 
the bark walls. 

There were mounted men fighting with bows and 
arrows, horses hauling wagons, figures of beasts and 
reptiles, all done as one can well fancy in a rude way ; 



INDIAN PICTURES 



63 



but to Susan they afforded no little amusement, and 
she would have remained studying them until after 




^^^^ 




nightfall, had I 
not insisted that we 
must return to camp 
before darkness. 

It was an odd picture which 
our encampment presented 
when we rode in just at twi- 
light. The women had 
finished their washing, and, 
having no ropes on which to 
stretch their clothes, had 
hung them . on wagon wheels and the 
tongues of the carts, in fact, on everything available, 
until the entire place had much the appearance of a 
gigantic, ragged ghost. 

Because so much time was spent next morning in 
gathering up these garments and packing them away, 
we traveled only twelve miles, arriving at the bank 
of a small stream with all the animals, save the saddle 
horses, showing signs of weariness. 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



64 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

I insisted we should take a day for resting the cattle, 
although John Mitchell would have pushed on, regard- 
less of their condition; but I knew we must keep 
them in good shape, else when we arrived at the more 
difficult portion of the journey they would fail us 
entirely. Perhaps because of our experience with the 
Indians, the men failed to grumble at the delay. 

A PLAGUE OF WOOD TICKS 

Every member of the party was not only willing, 
but eager, to set out after our long halt, for we had a 
most disagreeable experience with wood ticks, little 
insects much like those that worry sheep. They 
covered every bush as with a veil and lay Hke a carpet 
over the ground as far as one could see. 

I have never come upon them in such numbers, and 
before we lay down to rest I wished a dozen times 
that I had delayed the halt another day. 

These ticks fasten themselves to a person's skin so 
tightly that, in picking them off, the heads are often 
left embedded in the flesh, and unless carefully removed, 
cause most painful sores. It was like one of the 
Plagues of Egypt such as I have heard my mother 
read about, and so much did our people suffer that 
John Mitchell came to me in the middle of the night, 
urging that we break camp at once rather than remain 
there to be tortured. 



A PLAGUE OF WOOD TICKS 



65 



I soon convinced him that we could not hope to 
drive the cattle in the darkness, without danger of 
losing one or more, therefore he ceased to urge ; but 
before the sun had risen, all our company were astir 
making preparations for the day's journey. 




Early though it was when we set off, only fourteen 
miles were traveled, owing to the difficulty in crossing 
the Big Vermilion River. 

The banks of the stream were steep and the channel 
muddy, affording such difficult footing for the animals 
that we were forced to hew down many small trees 
and lop off large quantities of branches to fill up the 



66 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

bed of the river before the wagons could be hauled 
across. All this occupied so much time that after 
arriving at the opposite bank we traveled only one 
mile before it was necessary to make camp. 

On this night we were not troubled by wood ticks, 
yet I had the camp astir early next morning, knowing 
that before nightfall we must cross the Bee and the Big 
Blue Creeks, therefore much time would be spent in 
making the passages. 

The difficulties which I had anticipated in crossing 
the creeks were not realized. We got over in fairly 
good shape, being forced on Bee Creek to double 
up the teams in order to pull the wagons across, and 
when night came we were two and a half miles west 
of Big Blue. 

There I beheved we should make a long halt, for the 
country was covered with oak, walnut, and hickory 
trees, and, if I remembered rightly, this would be 
the last time we could procure timber for wagon 
tongues, axletrees, and such oth^r things as might be 
needed in case of accidents. 



ANOTHER TEMPEST 

It was well we came to a halt early, for the tents 
were no more than up and the wagons not yet drawn 
in a circle to form a corral for the horses, before the 



ANOTHER TEMPEST 



67 



most terrific storm of rain I ever experienced burst 
upon us. 

The women had but just begun to cook supper. The 
first downpour from the clouds quenched the fires, 
making Kteral soup of the bread dough, and it was 
only by building a small blaze under one of the 




wagons, where it would be partly sheltered from 
the storm, that we could get sufiicient heat to make 
coffee. 

Before this was done — and nearly all us men took 
part in it, for the storm was so furious that the women 
could not be expected to remain exposed to its full 
fury — no less than two hours were spent, and I had 
almost forgotten that the encampment and all within 
it were under my charge. 



68 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

THE CATTLE STAMPEDED AGAIN 

Each moment the storm increased, and had I been 
attending to my duties instead of trying to play the 
part of cook in order to enjoy a cup of coffee, I would 
have noticed that the cattle were growing uneasy. 
After standing with their tails to the storm for a while, 
they began milhng, that is running around in a circle, 
and by the time I gathered my wits every animal was 
galloping off across the plain. 

Fortunately the horses and mules were properly 
hobbled, and, in fact, some of the saddle beasts had 
been brought into the corral formed by the wagons ; 
therefore when John Mitchell would have set off in 
pursuit of the oxen and cows despite the terrific storm, 
I insisted that he take such ease in camp as was pos- 
sible because on the following morning we, mounted, 
would quickly round up the stampeded cattle. 

It was a most dismal night, and for the first time 
since leaving their homes these people, who were set- 
ting their faces toward the Oregon country, had a 
fair taste of what hardships awaited them. 

So furious was the wind that the rain found en- 
trance to every camp and beneath each wagon cover, 
until beds and bedding were saturated. 

Welcome indeed was the morning to my mother 
and me, for our tent stood in a tiny pond when the 



DIFFICULT TRAVELING 69 

day broke, and we waded out to a higher bit of ground, 
where the gentle summer breeze, now that the storm 
had cleared away, might dry our water-soaked clothing. 

Without waiting for breakfast I saddled Napoleon, 
calling upon the men to follow me, and within four 
hours we had rounded up and brought into camp the 
missing animals. 

Then came a hasty meal, and I gave the word to 
break camp, whereupon John Mitchell reminded me 
that we were to take in a store of oak and hickory 
timber for future needs; but I insisted that we push 
on a short distance, knowing that this wooded coun- 
try extended ten or twelve miles farther westward, 
where I hoped to find higher ground, so we might be 
able to camp with some comfort. 

DIFFICULT TRAVELING • 

The trail was heavy. The rain had so softened the 
ground that the wagon wheels sank several inches 
into it, and many times before nightfall we were 
forced to hew trees and cut large quantities of brush, 
in order to fill up the depressions in the way where 
the water stood deep and the bottom was much like a 
bog. 

Again and again we found it necessary to double 
up the teams in order to haul the heavy wagons over 
the spongy soil, and after we had traveled eight miles 



70 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



with more labor than on the previous day we had 
expended in going twice that distance, we decided to 
encamp. 

We were on reasonably high ground, or, in other 
words, we were not in a quagmire, and after camp 
had been made I counted that we would spend the 



V v^^^^"^ 




following day in getting as much hickory and oak 
timber as we might need when we came to the moun- 
tain ranges, where axletrees, wagon tops, and even 
the wheels themselves, were likely to be splintered 
because of the roughness of the way. 

Next morning while the men were hewing trees 
and shaping them roughly into such forms as might 



COLONEL KEARNY'S DRAGOONS 



71 



come convenient, the women took advantage of the 
opportunity to churn, and at noon we had fresh 
butter on our bread, which was indeed a luxury. 

We were yet eating slowly in order the better to 
enjoy the butter, when we saw in the distance, coming 
toward us, what appeared to be a large body of sol- 
diers and emigrants. 



COLONEL KEARNY S DRAGOONS 

Among the foremost of the horsemen who came 
up and halted near us, was Colonel Stephen W. Kearny 




who, with three hundred dragoons, nineteen wagons 
drawn by mules, fifty head of cattle, and twenty-five 



72 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

sheep, was making the first mihtary campaign into 
the Far West, in order properly to impress the Indians 
with the strength and power of the Great Father at 
Washington. 

Colonel Kearny would not permit his train to halt 
where we were encamped, but he remained with us a 
full half hour, taking his due share of the newly made 
butter, and eating heartily of our poor store. 

It was a most pleasing break in the journey, and 
to me it was indeed something to be remembered, 
for never before had I seen or heard of such a number 
of soldiers so far away from the frontier. 

When we set off again all our teamsters pressed 
forward eagerly, hoping to overtake the dragoons, 
who had already no less than two hours' start 
of us. 

Perhaps I ought to have checked them, knowing 
they were forcing our stock at too rapid a pace ; but 
yet I did not, and when next we halted thirty-two 
miles had been traversed since morning. This, though 
the way was smooth and the crossings easy, I allowed 
was a good day's work. 

It was on the twenty-sixth day of May, after we 
had traveled ten miles, that we came to the bank of 
Little Sandy River, where was already encamped a 
company of emigrants bound for the Oregon country. 
They had thirty-two wagons, and, in addition to the 



DISAGREEABLE VISITORS 73 

other stock, ninety cows, having started from Inde- 
pendence with a hundred. 

Susan Mitchell laughed with .glee when we arrived 
at this camp and, when I asked the reason for her high 
spirits, told me our people could spend the evening 
visiting these strangers even as they visited their 
neighbors at home. Indeed, I saw that all the mem- 
bers of the company were prinking and pluming 
like a party of savages making ready for a war 
dance. 

Men whose clothing had been well-nigh in rags 
suddenly appeared decked out in finery, and as for 
the women and the girls, a garden of flowers could 
hardly have compared with them for variety of colors. 

DISAGREEABLE VISITORS 

However, our company did not spend the evening 
visiting the strangers; on the contrary, they were 
forced to entertain others, for before supper had been 
cooked and eaten about three hundred Kansas Indians, 
men, women, and children, some walking, some riding, 
came into camp. 

The emigrants whom our people had intended to 
visit were overrun even as we were, and during two 
hours or more the beggars remained watching for an 
opportunity to steal something, or striving to trade 
their skeleton-like ponies for our horses and mules. 



74 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



Some of the visitors were clad in buckskin, others 
had leggings of elk hide, with buffalo skins over their 
shoulders, while many wore only greasy, ragged 
blankets and leggings so besmeared with blood and 
dirt that one could not tell what the material might 
be. 

Many of the men had long hair, while the heads 
of others were shaved close to the skin, save for a tuft 




extending from the forehead over the crown and 
down to the neck, much like the comb of a rooster. 

Some had their faces painted in a fanciful manner 
with red, while others had only their eyelids and lips 
colored. Again, there were those with various colored 
noses or ears, and I failed to see any two who were 
decked out, either with garments or by paint, in the 
same manner. 

The costumes and decorations of the women were 
as varied as those of the men, and equally filthy. 



DRIVING AWAY THE INDIANS 75 

All, from the smallest papoose to the oldest brave, 
were repulsive, at least to me, because of their un- 
cleanliness. 

DRIVING AWAY THE INDIANS 

How long those representatives of the Kansas tribe 
would have remained with us awaiting an opportunity 
to steal whatever they might, I cannot say; but at 
about eight o'clock John Mitchell urged that I drive 
them away, if indeed I dared. This last suggestion 
caused me to smile, for what fellow would not dare 
anything among the Kansas Indians, who know no 
more of courage than they do of cleanliness ? 

I speedily sent them out of the camp, and when, 
next morning, the whole tribe returned begging this 
or that, I threatened punishment to any who should 
dare linger around. 

Again we had an opportunity to join forces with 
another company, for those emigrants whom we met 
at Little Sandy River were eager to journey with us, 
but intended to remain one full day on the bank of 
the stream in order to rest their stock. 

I urged that we push on, lest they should travel 
with us whether we wished or not, and so we set off 
at an early hour across the prairie, arriving next day 
at the Republican Fork of the Blue River. 

It was on the last day of May that we came to 



76 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



where the trail turns abruptly away from the stream, 
stretching out twenty-five miles or more to the Platte 
River. 

Then we advanced in wild, fertile bottoms, where 
wild peas abounded, and we were among the last of 
the oak and hickory trees that we would see for many 
a long day. 

TURKEY HUNTING 

Here I knew we might find game, and said to those 
men who had been eagerly inquiring day after day as 
to when we would come upon buffaloes, 
that now was the time when they 
could display their skill in bring- 
ing down wild turkeys. 

I had supposed 

that these people 

knew somewhat 

about hunting ; but 

when one of the men 

turned upon me 

sharply, asking how 

I knew turkeys could 

"■""'■ be found near about, 

I nearly laughed in his face. For it seemed to me 

that a child should have known we were come at 

last to where game of some sort might be taken easily. 

I had no idea of hunting turkeys, for I knew that 




EAGER HUNTERS 77 

within the next few hours there should be a possibility 
of bringing down as many antelopes as Napoleon 
would be wiUing to carry. 

Therefore I remained in camp, and saw those eager 
hunters striding off amid the timber, making noise 
enough to warn every fowl or beast of their coming. 

The wonder of it was that the fellows brought in a 
feather; yet at night they returned triumphant and 
excited, with two turkeys, and one would have be- 
lieved, from the way the game was displayed, that 
they had shown great skill. 

When Susan Mitchell asked why I did not go out 
in search of game, I told her it was not for me to spend 
my time in such sport, but that before many days 
had passed I would show her what a hunter could 
and should do in this country. 

It may be she thought I was boasting, and I fancied 
I read as much on her face; but I contented myself 
in silence, knowing that she soon would see what 
kind of hunting those, who have crossed from the 
Missouri River into the Oregon country twice, could 
do. 

EAGER HUNTERS 

Next day every man and boy in our company was 
looking eagerly forward for signs of game, and when, 
the afternoon being nearly spent, they saw large 
herds of antelopes in the distance, it was only with 



78 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



difficulty I could force the teamsters to remain on 
their wagons. 

Every horseman would have set off at that time in 
the afternoon with weary steeds, when there was no 
possibility of .^— --.-^ 

running down 
the game, 




had it not 

been for John Mitchell, 

who, after talking with 

me, msisted that no man 

should leave the company until we had made camp. 

The Platte River was to be crossed before we halted, 
and we needed every man with us, for I knew that 
the bottom of the stream was soft, and the chances 
many that we would be forced to double up our teams. 

However, we gained the opposite bank without 
much difficulty and were hardly more than ready to 
encamp, after having traveled eighteen or nineteen 



ANTELOPE COUNTRY 79 

miles, when it began to rain once more, and then the 
men were glad that they had not set off to hunt at 
nightfall. 

We camped where it would be possible for us to 
get water without too much labor, and set about 
gathering fuel before everything was soaked by the 
rain, and darkness was upon us. 

Then the men began to treat me as if I was of their 
own age. They came into my tent by twos and 
threes, asking when it would be possible for them to 
hunt antelopes, and when I would go with them to 
bring in fresh meat. 

I told them that on the next day they should have 
all the hunting that would satisfy them and their 
horses, and this caused them to wonder how I knew 
antelopes might be near at hand. 

ANTELOPE COUNTRY 

Next morning, when we had traveled no more than 
six miles, any hunter could see that we were in a 
game country, and because our people were really 
in need of fresh meat, to say nothing of the desire of 
the men for sport, I gave the word to halt and make 
camp. 

John Mitchell angrily demanded why I had halted 
the company before the forenoon was half spent. 

When I told him that here was our opportunity to 

ANTOINE OF OREGON — 6 



8o 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



get antelope steaks for supper, he looked at me as if 
he believed I was talking of something wholly beyond 
my knowledge. I have an idea he would have counter- 
manded my order to form camp, insisting that we 
move on, had not his wife suggested that now we were 
so near the river, where the bank was shelving instead 




frank T ff^i-Mh 



of steep, it would be a good time for the women to 

finish washing their clothing. 

After she had spoken he said to me : — 

"Very well, lad, you may show the other men your 

antelopes. I have no desire for a wild-goose chase 

across the prairie." 

I gave little heed to his banter, and those who had 

been so eager for the hunt were right willing to follow 



SHOOTING ANTELOPES 8i 

me on the chance that they might come upon some- 
thing that could be killed; John Mitchell finally con- 
sented to go with us, in order, as he said, to hear what 
sort of excuse I would make for not finding game. 

We rode straight away from the river, and within 
half an hour came upon a herd of from twenty to 
thirty antelopes feeding less than three miles away, 
whereupon every member of the company would have 
started off singly, taking the poor chances of getting 
a shot, had I not insisted they should hold themselves 
under my orders, lest there be no possibility of bring- 
ing in fresh meat that day. 

'^You made a good guess, lad,'' John Mitchell said 
to me, as if he was disappointed because we had brought 
the game to view, and I replied : — 

''Any one familiar with this country may say with 
reasonable certainty that he will find deer in such 
and such a place without first having seen any signs. 
With buffaloes it is different. But on feeding grounds 
like this, one can declare positively that he will come 
upon some kind of deer without riding very far.'' 

SHOOTING ANTELOPES 

Then I gave the word for the men to divide into 
two parties, one going to the right and the other to 
the left toward the herd, in order to come up with 
them on both sides at the same moment, and the 



82 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



silly animals did not note our approach until we were 
within half a mile. 

Then they showed how rapidly they could run. 

I have never seen antelopes in full flight without 
thinking how nearly alike they are to swallows, both 
for swiftness and the manner in which they bound 
over the ground without 
seeming to touch it. There 
are not many horses that j^. 




can come up 
., with this game 
once the fleet 
animals have been 
aroused ; but I 
knew my pony could gain upon 
them in a chase of five miles or 
less, and straightway urged him on, shouting for the 
others to follow. 

It was like horses accustomed to the plow striving to 
keep the pace with a blooded racer, when we struck off 
across the plains, and before two miles had been traversed, 
my companions were left so far in the rear that there 
was little chance they could take any part in this sport. 



A PAWNEE VISITOR ^s 

I urged Napoleon on until we were in fairly good 
range, when, firing rapidly, I brought two of the 
beautiful creatures to the ground. 

There was no possibility of overtaking the herd, 
once having halted, so swinging the game across the 
saddle in front of me, I let my pony walk leisurely 
back to where the men waited, each of them looking 
with envious eyes at the result of the chase. 

Within half an hour after our return to camp, five 
or six fires had been built, and our people were busily 
engaged in cooking the fresh meat, which was so wel- 
come to them, giving little or no heed to anything 
save the preparations for a feast. Suddenly a single 
Indian of the Pawnee tribe stood before us, having 
ridden up without attracting the attention of any 
member of the company. 

A PAWNEE VISITOR 

It was the first time such a thing had ever occurred 
while I was supposed to be on duty, and I said to 
myself that until we had come into the Oregon country 
and I had said good-by to these people, I should never 
again be caught off guard. 

The Indian who had thus surprised me was as fine 
a specimen of a Pawnee as I have ever seen. He was 
tall, had a good figure, and rode a handsome pony 
which was really fat, — something seldom come upon, 



84 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



for the Indians do not generally allow their horses 
to take on very much flesh. 

He wore a calico shirt, buckskin leggings, and 
fancifully decorated moccasins. It would seem as if 
he had set himself up as a trader in footgear, for he 
carried with him half a dozen or more pairs 
of moccasins, some of them well worn, which 
he wanted to trade for meat. 

Our people were so fooHsh as 
to bargain with him, when, had 
they been content to wait a few 
days longer, until we were in a 
country abounding with game, 
they might have made any num- 
ber of pairs out of fresh hides. 
This fellow remained in camp 
after having disposed of his 
wares, until he had eaten 
three times as much as could 
any member of our company, 
going from camp fire to camp fire and gorging himself 
as an Indian will, until it was only with difficulty 
that he could mount his pony. 

I felt more at ease when the fellow had left us, for 
I never see one of his race hanging around an encamp- 
ment without good reason for believing he is trying 
to steal something; but the women of our company 




THE PAWNEES TRY TO FRIGHTEN US 85 

were saddened because he went so soon, and I verily 
believe they would have served him with another 
feast had it been possible for him to eat more. 

There was, perhaps, some petulance in my tones 
when I told Susan Mitchell that she need not feel 
badly because he had taken his departure so soon, for 
before arriving at the Oregon country she would 
come across Indians to her heart's content, and per- 
haps to her heart's sorrow. 

I little dreamed how soon my words were to come 
true, although knowing that we would meet more red 
people than white during the remainder of the journey ; 
but next day, when we had traveled perhaps eight 
miles and were halted at noon that the women might 
prepare dinner, our company saw Indians in a way 
which was, during a few moments, anything rather 
than pleasant. 

THE PAWNEES TRY TO FRIGHTEN US 

We had camped in a slight depression of the prairie, 
and were just about eating the noonday meal, when 
the distant trampHng of hoofs told me that a party 
of some considerable size was approaching. 

I had barely time to spring to my feet before twenty- 
three mounted Pawnees, all armed with bows and 
arrows, rode up over the crest of land, halting there 
an instant as if to measure our strength. 



86 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



Because they were not in full paint, I understood 
that it was a hunting party, and therefore I gave the 
word for our men to arm themselves without delay, 
for it is true that in the wilderness one expects the 
savages will take advantage of any opportunity to 
work mischief. 

John Mitchell was not disposed to obey the com- 
mand, fearing lest if we made any show of warlike 
preparations it would only incite the Indians to anger, 
but, fortunately, the other men did as I told them. 
Marshaling this little force, I moved out from 
among the wagons, bidding every 
fellow to stand firm, 
while I motioned for 
the savages to keep 
back. However, 
they urged their ponies 
on at full speed, riding 
toward us like fiends, and, 
as I knew very well, striv- 
ing to throw us into a 
panic, in which case 
there is no question 
"^^^^'ife' but that they would have plundered 
. . / 't#^ the camp. 
Because I was the guide, it was necessary for me to 
take on the greater share of the danger, and, stepping 




DEFENDING OURSELVES 



87 



four or five paces in advance of my comrades, I made 
signs for the savages to keep away, at the same time 
leveling my rifle. 

The band was coming down upon us at the full 
speed of their ponies, when I thus gave evidence that 
it was my intention to fire if they continued, and im- 







mediately the horses were checked, the band riding 
off toward the south, leaving the leader behind. 



DEFENDING OURSELVES 

Dismounting, while the others wheeled about to 
join him again, he came toward me, his eyes roving 
from one member of our company to the other, as if 
to learn whether we had backbone enough to stand 
up for our rights. 

He must have understood that we would put up 
with no foolishness, for straightway all his show of 
fierceness vanished. He told me that his party had 



88 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



been out hunting buffaloes, but failed to come across 
any, and then begged like a dog for us to give him food. 
To have admitted such a crowd into our encamp- 
ment would have been giving them a license 
to plunder, therefore I warned the fellow off. 
I insisted that they go back to their village, 
where, beyond doubt, they would ^ 
find food if they were very hungry. 




John Mitchell would have argued with me because 
I was turning hungry people away; but I refused to 
listen to him, and put on such a bold front that with- 
out further parley the leader mounted his pony, and 
away they went over the ridge, much to my relief. 



SCARCITY OF FUEL, AND DISCOMFORT 89 

When we were making camp that night a party of 
emigrants, numbering no less than fifty, all bound 
for the Oregon country, came up with us. 

Instead of halting as one might have supposed, for a 
quiet chat, they rode on as though fearing we might 
want to join them, and I said to myself that their 
guide must be one who, like myself, had already 
traversed the Oregon trail ; yet I was pleased because 
of their desire to continue on alone. 



SCARCITY OF FUEL, AND DISCOMFORT 

We made only twelve miles on this day, and then 
camped on the open prairie where we were sadly in 
need of fuel, being obliged to scrape up dried grass 
and gather even the tiniest twigs. The scarcity of 
fuel was no more than might have been expected, fot 
now we were coming to that part of the country where 
wood was a rarity. 

Next day the wind blew strong and cold from the 
northwest, and the cattle hurried onward in order, 
as it seemed, to keep up a circulation of the blood, 
therefore before we encamped, our party had ad- 
vanced twenty miles nearer our destination ; but all 
the men and boys were decidedly uncomfortable in 
body. 

We had crossed five or six creeks which were no 



90 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



more than half their usual height; but the beds of 
the streams^ were so soft that we were forced again 
and again to wade in that we might lay our shoulders 
to the wheels when the wagons 
were stuck fast in the mire. 

To work in water 

nearly above your 

waist for half an hour 

or more until 

having become 

thoroughly 

heated and 




then come out into that chilling wind, was indeed a 
hardship. 

During the next day, which was the 7th of June, 
we saw the first signs of buffaloes, and then indeed 
our hunters were wild to go out and kill some of the 
huge animals, insisting that I lead the party. 

Through these bottom lands, which were from two 
to four miles wide, there ran in every direction buffalo 
paths, which had been traversed so often by the ani- 



LAME OXEN 91 

mals that they were no less than fifteen inches wide 
and four inches deep in the soHd earth, arid as smooth 
as if cut out with a spade. 

Although we knew that buffaloes ranged in this 
region, it would indeed have been folly to set off, 
especially at nightfall, with the idea that we might 
find a herd, and so I told the eager ones, who grumbled 
not a httle, believing I refused to lead them in the 
chase because of my own indolence. 

LAME OXEN 

When we made camp, after having traveled sixteen 
miles, John Mitchell called my attention to the fact 
that our oxen were growing lame, and he seemed quite 
vexed because I treated it as a matter of course. 

Any one who has traveled from the Missouri River 
to the Oregon country, knows that while crossing the 
prairies, which are covered with a dry stubble of 
matted grass, the hoofs of the animals will become 
hard and crack, thus allowing dirt to collect in the 
crevices until the leg above the hoof swells, and some- 
times festers. 

There is only one way to treat this trouble, which 
is to wash thoroughly in water made very strong with 
soap, and then scrape away all the diseased part of 
the hoof, after which tar, or hot pitch, should be 
applied freely. 



92 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

Our men should have looked after the feet of the 
animals, but perhaps because that required too much 
labor, they had allowed the poor beasts to go neg- 



lected, and now had come the time when, unless 
they set about it manfully, our journey to the Oregon 
country might be ended suddenly. 

AN ARMY or EMIGRANTS 

That evening, while every man was working for the 
relief of the oxen, three companies of emigrants, one 
after another, came up and encamped within half a 



AN ARMY OF EMIGRANTS 93 

mile of us, until we had close under our eyes, belong- 
ing to these strangers, more than a hundred wagons. 

There were in the first company fifty-two wagons, 
each drawn by four yoke of cattle ; the smallest com- 
pany had thirteen wagons in its train, therefore you 
can understand that we were almost an army. 

Now John Mitchell and Susan understood why I 
had protested against joining forces with any of the 
companies we came across, for at this place the grass 
was scanty indeed, with many animals to feed upon 
it, and we had the greatest difficulty to find for our 
beasts as much food as they were needing. 

I insisted on pulling out at an early hour next morn- 
ing, in order to get ahead of this army of emigrants, 
and we traveled all day without finding better food 
for the cattle, encamping at night, after having 
journeyed twelve miles, with the knowledge that 
every beast we owned was sadly in need of something 
to eat. 

One train of the emigrants which we had left be- 
hind, numbering forty-three wagons, came within 
sight of our camp that night just at sunset and, find- 
ing the grass poor where we had halted, continued on ; 
but I knew full well there were not hours enough of 
daylight remaining for them to find better pasturage. 

When another day dawned the rain was falling 
heavily, and even John Mitchell proposed that we 



94 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



remain in camp, rather than attempt to push on ; but 
when I reminded him that the oxen and cows were 
straying here and there, striving eagerly to pick up a 
few scanty blades of grass, he held his peace. 

We continued the journey while floods of water came 
down from the clouds, 




until before we were half 
"^ an hour on the way every one, save 
the women and children, who were protected by the 
wagon covers, was drenched. 

After traveling fifteen miles, we encamped where 
the ground was so sodden that our feet sank into the 
soil two inches or more ; however, we gained such 
shelter as we could under the wagon bodies or beneath 
the wagon coverings, striving to sleep while the wind 
drove the rain in upon us like a shower bath. 

We could not well put up the tents in such mire, 
and it was more comfortable pacing to and fro as if 
doing sentry duty, than lying at full length in a veri- 
table swamp. 



THE BUFFALO COUNTRY 95 

Again we set out with the rain coming down as if 
it would never cease, passing village after village of 
prairie dogs; but the children and the women showed 
no desire to spend any time looking at them, for all 
our company were in such discomfort that it would 
have needed something more than an ordinary animal 
to entice them out of their way a dozen paces. 

Not until we arrived at the lower crossing of the 
Platte River did the storm of rain subside, and while 
we were striving to get the wagons across, the sun 
came out with full strength, making matters quite as 
uncomfortable for us who labored, as when the tor- 
rents of water were pouring down upon our bodies. 

THE BUFFALO COUNTRY 

At this crossing the water was from one to three 
feet deep and the bed of the river sandy, therefore 
in order to get our wagons over it was necessary to 
double up the teams, and in some cases put on twelve 
or fourteen yoke of oxen, all of which required con- 
siderable time. 

When we were on the other side of the river, and 
our men so weary that they spent but little time mak- 
ing camp, in order the sooner to throw themselves 
down to rest, I aroused them to the highest pitch of 
excitement by announcing that now we were in a 
buffalo country, and that before many hours had 

ANTOINE OF OREGON — 7 



96 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



passed they should have as many short ribs, humps, 
and tongues for roasting as could be eaten at one meal, 
however hungry they were. 

As if some magic change had been wrought, every 
man sprang to his feet, insisting that we go at once 
in search of the game ; but I held firm, claiming that 
the horses were far too weary to take part in a 
hunt. 

Before the next day had fully dawned, the men 
who were standing guard aroused the camp by shout- 




r^^.,i 7/y-^c>s 



ing excitedly that we were 
surrounded by buffaloes. 
It was not a very great 
surprise to me that the huge beasts should come 
so near the camp, for I had heard from men who 
traveled over the Santa Fe trail that the buffaloes 
would often mingle with straggling cows, and more 
than once had emigrants lost their live stock by 
having the animals literally forced away by these big 
brutes. 



HUNTING BUFFALOES 97 

HUNTING BUFFALOES 

It was a difficult matter to restrain the hunters 
who were bent on starting off on the instant, beheving 
they could kill a buffalo with but Httle effort, if one 
came within range. 

To bring a buffalo down, one must shoot him in 
the lungs. To hit the skull is much like sending a 
bullet against a rock, for it has no other effect than to 
excite the animal, and oftentimes even then not very 
much. Of course if a hunter can send a ball through 
the brute's heart, that settles the matter, but it is a 
difficult shot. 

I did my best to explain how they ought to shoot 
in order to kill, and then, finding they were not in- 
clined to heed my words, I proposed that we set off, 
each going his own way and doing the work after 
his own fashion. 

It caused me to smile when I saw those men creep- 
ing up on some old bull, whose flesh was so dry and 
tough that none save a starving man would eat it; 
but they seemed to think it was size that counted. 

Knowing that now was the time when I could again 
profit by my experience as a hunter and trapper, I 
went off in chase of a couple of young cows, and within 
thirty minutes had them stretched out on the prairie. 
Meanwhile I believe that no less than a hundred shots 



98 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



had been fired by the other members of the company ; 
but I failed to see that any of them had been successful. 
John Mitchell and one of the men who went out 
with him succeeded in killing an old bull, and al- 
though during three hours of that forenoon there 
were hundreds of buffaloes in sight, all our company 




took from that vast 
herd were the two cows I had 
killed and the tough old fellow 
that had fallen under John 
Mitchell's rifle. 
Because Susan's father did not call upon me for 
advice as to how his share of the game should be cut 
up ready for cooking, I held my peace, but set about 
taking the flesh from each side of the spine, from the 
shoulders to the rump, of the two animals I had killed. 
Afterward I cut out the tongue and the hump ribs, 
while those two men were hacking at their game, ap- 
parently believing his flesh should be treated after 
the same manner as that of a stall-fed ox. 



MY MOTHER'S ADVICE 



99 



While I was making ready some of the hump ribs 
for roasting, my mother came to my side, saying, as 
she pointed to our companions : — 



MY MOTHER S ADVICE 

"It pains me to see these people heedless of that 
which they must meet with before we can arrive at 
the Oregon country. They 
who complain bitterly because 
the sun falls upon them too 
warmly, or that the ford is 
very deep, hope to make 
their way to that far-off 
land with no more 
labor and no 
more suffering 
than they have /| 
already experi- 
enced since we 
left Inde- 
pendence." 

"They will soon learn, mother,'' I said laughingly, 
and yet in my heart was sorrow for the people whom 
I had so lately come to know, because of the lesson 
that was before them. "The one fear is that when 
we come to the mountains, when we must fight with 
all our strength to gain a half mile in this direction 




loo ANTOINE OF OREGON 

or a mile in that, camping without food and without 
fuel, whether they will keep on or grow disheartened 
and turn back." 

''I cannot understand, my son, that you need feel 
anxious. Do your duty by them as you have agreed, 
and even though we are forced to come straight away 
back over the trail, it will be through no fault of 
yours.'' 

I have allowed myself to set down details concern- 
ing this journey of ours into the Oregon country as 
if there was ample time at my disposal; yet if I am 
to tell all the story of that long tramp, and then 
attend to the work which I have taken upon myself, 
it is necessary I hasten in the recital, instead of striv- 
ing to give the particulars of each day's march. 

After leaving the camp where we had killed the 
buffaloes, we found the traveling good, grass plenty, 
and game so abundant that one might go out and 
shoot whatever he needed of buffaloes, antelopes, or 
elks, without spending very much time at the work, 
providing he was reasonably expert with his rifle. 

ASH HOLLOW POST OFFICE 

Susan rode with me, as she had from the beginning 
of the journey. Nothing of note happened to us, un- 
less I should set down that this day was stormy, 
and on that day the sun shone, until we came into 



ASH HOLLOW POST OFFICE 



lOI 



the valley of the North Fork of the Platte, through a 
pass which is known as Ash Hollow. 

There we drove down a dry ravine on our winding 
way to the river bottoms, stopping now and then to 
gather a store of wild cur- ^^ 
rants and gooseberries which ^^ 4 
grew in abundance. 

Near the mouth of 
the ravine we came 
upon a small log cabin, 
which had evidently 
been built by trap- 
pers, but the emi- 
grants on their way 
into the Oregon 
country had con- 
verted it into a 
post ofhce, by stick- 
ing here and there, 
in the crevices of 
the logs, letters to 

be forwarded to their friends in ' the 
States. Hung on the wall where all 
might see it, was a general notice re- 
questing any who passed on their way to the Missouri 
River to take these missives, and deposit them in the 
nearest regular post office. 




^i; 



I02 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

The little cabin had an odd appearance, and Susan 
confessed that, almost for the first time since leaving 
Independence, she was growing homesick, solely be- 
cause of seeing this queer post ofhce. 

After crossing the stream we came upon a party of 
emigrants from Ohio, having only four wagons drawn by 
ten yoke of oxen, and driving six cows. . 

Truly it was a small company to set out on so long 
a march, and when the leader begged that they be 
allowed to join us, I could not object, understanding 
that unless the strangers had some one of experience 
to guide them, the chances were strongly against 
their arriving at the Columbia River. 

NEW COMRADES 

There was in the company a girl of about Susan's 
age, whose name was Mary Parker, and from that 
time I had two companions as I rode in advance of 
the train. 

I could have found no fault with these new members 
of our company, for they obeyed my orders without 
question from the oldest man to the youngest child. 

Mary Parker was a companionable girl, and she 
and Susan often cheered me on the long way, for even 
when the rain was coming down in torrents, drenching 
them to the skin, they rode by my side, laughing and 
singing. 



FORT LARAMIE 



103 



On the twenty-fourth day of June we arrived at 
Fort Laramie, in the midst of a heavy storm of rain, 
thunder, and Hghtning. We had traveled six hundred 
sixty-seven miles since leaving Independence, if our 
course had been the most direct; but allowing for 




the distances some of us had ridden in search of cattle 
or here and there off the trail looking for a camping 
place it must have been that we made at least a hun- 
dred miles more. 



FORT LARAMIE 

Fort Laramie is on the west side of a stream known 
as Laramie's Fork and about two miles from the 



I04 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



Platte River. It is a trading post belonging to the 
North American Fur Company, and built of adobe, 
by which I mean sun dried bricks, with walls not less 
than two feet thick and twelve or fourteen feet high, 
the tops being well guarded by long, sharp spikes to 
prevent an enemy from climbing over. 

This fort, if it can be called such, is simply a wall 
inclosing an open square of twenty-five yards each 




way, along the sides of which are the dwellings, store- 
rooms, blacksmith shops, carpenter shops, and ofhces 
all fronting inside, while from the outside can be seen 
only two gates, one of which faces the north and the 
other the south. 

Just south of the fort is a wall inclosing about an 
acre of land, which is used as a stable or corral, while 
a short distance farther on is a cultivated field, the 
scanty crops of which give good evidence that the soil 
is not suitable for farming. 



FORT LARAMIE 



105 



About a mile below Fort Laramie, and having 
much the same appearance as that fortification, al- 
though not so large, is Fort John, which is in possession 
of the St. Louis Fur Company. 

We were given quarters inside Fort Laramie, which 
was much to our Hking, for it would have been more 




than disagreeable had we been forced to camp out- 
side the walls, where were, when we arrived, at least 
three thousand Sioux Indians. Their buffalo-skin 
lodges dotted the plain all around the fort until one 
could have well fancied there were three times the 
real number in the neighborhood, and it was as if 



io6 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

their tepees were countless, although John Mitchell 
was told that they had no more than six hundred. 

I learned shortly after our arrival that the Sioux 
had gathered here for the purpose of making ready 
to attack the tribes of the Snakes and Crows, and 
they had but just finished their war dance when we 
came up, seemingly having no regard for the violent 
storm which was raging. 

Even as we drove into the fort the water was de- 
scending from the clouds in torrents, but there were 
hundreds of these savages dancing and singing, and 
in various ways striving to show their joy because a 
war was about to be begun against their enemies. 

A SIOUX ENCAMPMENT 

A Sioux lodge is made of poles lightly stuck into 
the ground, in a circle of about ten feet in diameter; 
the tops come together within less than twelve 
inches, this opening being left for the smoke to pass 
out, because in stormy weather the Sioux women do 
all their cooking under cover, when a fire is built in 
the center of the tepee. Herein they differ consider- 
ably from the Pawnees, who seem to think it dis- 
graceful to seek shelter, save in the most bitter weather 
of winter. 

Over the framework of poles are buffalo robes, tied 
together with sinews until the covering will shed 



INDIANS ON THE MARCH 



107 



water and resist wind. Inside, the floor is covered 
thickly with skins of many kinds, on which by day 
the occupants lounge or cook, play or gamble, as 
best suits their fancy, and at night 
the same furs serve as a bed for all 
the family. 

It was at Fort Laramie that I was 
met by certain members of the 
American Fur Company, who 
had in the older days been well 
acquainted with my father, 
and had seen me more than 
once when I was with 
him. 

They paid their re- 
spects to my mother, 
and she and I, in 
company with John 
Mitchell and Susan, 

were invited to dinner with the gentlemen. We had 
cold corned beef and biscuit, with plenty of milk to 
drink, which fare was to us a luxury. 




INDIANS ON THE MARCH 



We remained at Fort Laramie one day and had 
the good fortune to see the Indians setting out on 



io8 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



the march, the men to go against their enemies, and 
the women to return to the villages. 

We saw the squaws taking down the lodges and 
fastening the poles on either side of the pack animals, 
with one end dragging on the ground. Across these 
poles, just behind the horse, were lashed short pieces 
of wood, forming a framework on which were tied the 
food, furs, and household belongings, while in many 
cases the children rode on top of 
the load during the journey. 

Then the babies 
were shut up in 
small willow cages, 
and either fastened 




f-ank X. Mu^vh 



on the backs of the pack horses, or securely tied to 
the trailing poles. 

The women performed all the work from taking 
down the lodges to leading the pack animals. The 
men did nothing save sit on their ponies, decked 
out in a fanciful array of feathers, with their war 
shields and spears from which fluttered gay-colored 
bits of cloth, as if their only purpose in life was to 
present a warlike appearance. 

As I told the girls, those Sioux Indians making 



THE FOURTH OF JULY 109 

ready for battle were the first real savages we had 
met. They would not hesitate to carry away any- 
thing belonging to a white man, if they could get 
their hands upon it, but they acted more like men, 
than did any we had seen before. 

THE FOURTH OF JULY 

Within two days after leaving Fort Laramie, we 
killed three elks and four deer. It was necessary to 
halt another day in order to cure the meat, after 
which we pushed on at our best speed until the Fourth 
of July, when all the company, John Mitchell's follow- 
ing as well as that party of emigrants who joined us 
at Ash Hollow, remained in camp during a full day to 
celebrate properly the winning of our independence. 

There was nothing we could do, save follow the 
example of the savages, when they want to show 
signs of rejoicing, and that was to make a great feast. 

I had the good fortune to shoot an elk and an ante- 
lope shortly after daybreak that morning, and much 
to my surprise John Mitchell and one of the men 
brought in a small bear. 

During the feast those men who believed they 
excelled in speech making showed their skill at great 
length. The chief part of what was said concerned 
the Oregon country and the possibility that the Gov- 
ernment at Washington would stretch out its arms 



no 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



over the land to which we were traveling, showing 
the English people that we claimed it as our own, 
and intended to hold it against all comers. 

This halting for the celebration was of advantage 
to the cattle, whose feet were yet sore, for they needed 
rest quite as much as did the women of the company. 




Then, when we set off once more, it was with greater 
cheerfulness and increased hope, for the way could 
not have been improved nor made more pleasant. 
There was timber in abundance, so we were not put 
to it for fuel, and as for game, a good hunter might 
go out at almost any hour in the day two or three 
miles from our wagon train, and bring back deer, 
buffaloes, antelopes, or even bears. 



MULTITUDES OF BUFFALOES 



III 



MULTITUDES OF BUFFALOES 

Ten days after we celebrated the independence of 
this country we encamped near the Narrows, within 
sight of the snow-capped Wind River Mountains, and 
then it was that our company got some idea of what a 
herd of buffaloes looked like. 

When we broke camp in the morning it seemed as 
if the entire land was covered with the animals. They 




were in such throngs that the sound of their hoofs 
was like the rumbling of distant thunder, and one 
could hear the click, click, clicking of the thousands 
upon thousands of horns when they came together in 
battle, for the bulls appeared to be fighting incessantly 
as they moved here and there. 

Some of the brutes were rolling in the dust, turning 
from side to side as if in greatest dehght, others had 
gathered in groups as if watching those who fought. 

ANTOINE OF OREGON — 8 



112 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



One could compare the scene to nothing more than 
to an ocean of dark water surrounding us on every 
side, pitching and tossing as if under the influence 
of a strong wind. 

It was such a sight as I had seen more than once, 
but to my companions it was terrifying at the same 
time that it commanded their closest attention. 

The big brutes were in such 
numbers that they 




gave no heed 
we been needing 
meat, hundreds upon hundreds 
might have been brought down within 
a mile of the encampment. As it was, four of our 
men could not resist the temptation to go out and kill 
some, although it was wanton butchery, for we had 
then so much flesh in camp that more could not be 
carried. 

I was a little anxious on beginning the day's march, 
fearing lest we might find ourselves in the midst of 



WE MEET COLONEL KEARNY AGAIN 113 

that herd, for they gave no attention to man even 
when our people were shooting. 

But it was not for us to halt because of a lot of 
stupid buffaloes, and I gave the word to move on, 
insisting that all the men, being fully armed, should 
guard the cows lest they be stampeded. 

For two hours we rode in the very midst of that 
countless herd, with the shaggy, heavy brutes press- 
ing so close to our wagons that some of the men were 
forced to go on ahead and drive them away by firing 
pistols or using clubs, for one could get near enough 
to pommel them as you might pommel a lazy horse. 

I did not breathe freely until past noon, and 
then we had left behind us that surging sea of 
beasts. 

But for the fact that the time would come, as I 
knew full well, when we should need meat, I would 
have said I hoped we should never see another buffalo 
that side of the mountains. 

WE MEET COLONEL KEARNY AGAIN 

On this night, within about a dozen miles of the 
Narrows, we came upon Colonel Kearny's soldiers, 
returning from their long march, having come through 
South Pass. Somewhat of the hardships they had 
encountered, and which we must face, could be guessed 
at by looking at those seasoned troopers, who ap- 



£14 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



peared to be completely exhausted by long riding 
and scanty rations. 

No less than twenty of the men were on the sick 
list, and at least a hundred others looked as if they 
soon would be. 

I believe nothing could have been shown John 
Mitchell's company which would have told more 



&k^^£I^/'^'-^ 




eloquently of the hardships to be encountered when 
we came among the foothills. 

Then we pushed onward more sturdily, and I could 
see that every man in our company was looking for- 
ward into the future, understanding that there must 
be no faltering now, else they would fall by the way- 
side, as had so many of whom we heard from day to 
day. 



ACROSS THE DIVIDE 



115 



On the seventeenth day of July we felt the first 
frost of the season, when ice formed a quarter of an 
inch thick, and this warned our people that there was 
no time to be lost, if we would win our way through. 
If winter caught us while we were among the moun- 
tains, it would be necessary to make camp until spring, 
and who could say whether during those long months 
we would be able to get sufficient game to keep us 
alive? 

ACROSS THE DIVIDE 

Two days after we had this first token that winter 
was coming, we passed over the 
dividing ridge which separates the 
waters flowing into the Atlantic 
from those which find their way 




ii6 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

into the Pacific Ocean, and, bringing the train to a 
stop before any of our people reahzed that we had 
arrived at what one might call the parting of the 
ways, I called out that three cheers be given for 
the Oregon country, at the same time pointing to 
the streams which were running westward. 

There was great excitement in our company when 
it was known that we were really on the Divide, and 
regardless of the fact that we should have been push- 
ing on, all insisted upon halting until late in the after- 
noon, in order, as Mary Parker said, that they might 
celebrate properly having accomplished thus much of 
the journey. 

That night the air was filled with frost, and we 
who had been sleeping with no blankets over us, were 
glad to wrap ourselves in whatsoever we could lay 
hands upon, to prevent our blood from being chilled. 

When we camped, there was no water to be seen on 
either hand, nothing save the sandy bed of the stream, 
and I verily believe all our people would have gone 
thirsty if I had not insisted that they dig in the sand 
a hole from eighteen to twenty inches in depth. 

We then watched until enough brackish water had 
oozed up to moisten the tongues of our thirsty stock, 
after which, by waiting a full hour we got enough 
to satisfy us partly. 

It was the twenty-fifth day of July when we halted 



FORT BRIDGER 117 

at Fort Bridger and set up our tents just outside the 
adobe walls, for, knowing the place right well, I had 
no desire to spend a night inside the inclosure. 

FORT BRIDGER 

This fort, like many another, is little more than a 
trading post, and was built two years before we started 
for the Oregon country, by two old trappers who had 
turned fur traders. The largest building is made of 
adobes and serves as storehouse, while the others 
are flimsy shelters built from time to time to serve 
the needs of visitors. 

I remember having heard in St. Louis why James 
Bridger forsook his calling of trapper to engage as 
trader, and have even seen the letter he wrote Pierre 
Chouteau when he settled in the valley of Black's 
Fork of the Green River, asking that goods for trading 
with the Indians be sent to him. 

In it he wrote: ''I have established a small fort 
with a blacksmith shop and a supply of iron, on the 
road of the emigrants, which promises fairly. People 
coming from the East are generally well supplied with 
money, but by the time they get here are in want of 
all kinds of supplies. Horses, provisions, and smith 
work bring ready cash from them, and should I re- 
ceive the goods hereby ordered will do a considerable 
business with them. The same establishment trades 



ii8 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



with the Indians in the neighborhood, who have mostly 
a good number of beaver among them.'' 

John Mitchell had a very good idea of how great a 
profit the owners of the fort hoped to make, when he 
was forced to pay five cents a pound for flour, and three 

dollars a pound for 
powder, with other 
supplies in like 
'^ rK^^ i ^ proportion. 

James Bridger 
was exceedingly 
kind to mother and 
me when he learned 
who we were, for he 
had often trapped 
in company with 
my father, and I 
believe he would 
have given us outright anything we might have needed 
from his stores, had we told him we lacked money with 
which to pay for what was wanted ; but I would not 
have taken a dollar's worth from any man, unless 
my mother had been in sore distress. 

Susan Mitchell was greatly interested in the trapper 
who had turned trader, when she heard from my 
mother that James Bridger had been grievously 
wounded in a battle with the Blackfeet Indians, 




FORT BRIDGER 119 

had received two arrows through his back, and yet 
after so severe an injury he, with his friend, Bascus, 
and two other comrades, held the savages at bay for 
two days, until a company of white hunters came to 
his relief. 

One of the arrows was taken from Bridger's body 
during the fight, but the other held firm in the wound, 
and Bascus cut off the wooden portion close to the 
flesh, letting the iron head remain. This piece of 
metal he carried in his body three years, until Dr. 
Marcus Whitman, who was on his way to the Oregon 
country, cut it out after long and painful work. The 
arrowhead was three inches long, and the barbs had 
become hooked around one of the man's bones, which 
held it until it was cut out by Dr. Whitman. 

We were at our nearest point to the Great Salt 
Lake, and at this place a trail branched off, leading 
to what is known as Ogden's Hole, close by that vast 
inland sea. If we had desired to go to the California 
country, it would only have been necessary to con- 
tinue on around the Wasatch Mountains, and then 
strike off again to the westward, unless we were in- 
clined to climb the hills, going by the way of that salt 
lake. 

There were twenty-five lodges of I^dians near Fort 
Bridger, some of the savages having come to trade, and 
not a few of them being employed as trappers by the 



I20 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



fur buyers. They were mostly of the Snake tribe 
and had with them quite a large herd of cattle. 

Already Susan Mitchell and Mary Parker had seen 
enough of the Indians to satisfy their curiosity, and 
whether they wore moccasins of a little different 
pattern from other Indians, or 
fashioned their bows and arrows 
after another manner, was not 
sufficient inducement to per- 
suade them to encounter such 
conditions as were 
to be found in the 
lodges. 

In order to give 
our cattle 
a rest we 
remained 
at Fort 
Bridger two 
days, after which 
we went on again with the hope of soon coming upon 
the Columbia River. 

Our men had been told by the fur buyers that 
it was of the greatest importance we push forward 
at all speed, lest we be caught among the hills by 
the snow, and during the four or five days following 
our departure from the post, we traveled more 




FORT BRIDGER 



121 



rapidly than at any other time since leaving Inde- 
pendence. 

The month of August had well set in when we came 
to Soda Springs, and there it was I had counted upon 
surprising Susan Mitchell; nor was I disappointed. 




These springs are small hills or mounds standing 
at the right of the trail near a grove of cedars and 



122 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



pines, while the water that has oozed out of them in 
the past has formed a soKd crust of soda for miles 
around, so hard that one may walk upon it. 

The liquid soda is warm and sparkling as it comes 
to the surface, and when it has been led some distance 
away where it may be cooled, is as pleasing a drink 
as one can find in any of the shops in the East, for it 
is the true soda water as made by God Himself. 



TRADING AT FORT HALL 

At the end of the first week in August we arrived 
early one forenoon, at Fort Hall, which is a trading 
post belonging to the Hudson's Bay Company and 
having the appearance of a regular fortification, be- 
cause of being built chiefly 
of adobe brick. 




There we were 
able to buy flour at 
pound, providing we were 



willing to pay 



THIEVISH SNAKES 123 

for it in cattle at the rate of from five to twelve dollars 
per head, and since we had two lame oxen and three 
cows that could travel but httle farther, we laid in a 
supply, being allowed for our five animals thirty-six 
dollars in goods. 

At this place John Mitchell's people were urged to 
abandon the idea of going into the Oregon country 
because of the hardships and dangers which must be 
encountered, and those trappers who were lounging 
about the fort insisted that it would be better that 
we went to California, instead of attempting to go 
farther on the road we had chosen. 

The emigrants who had joined us on the way be- 
came frightened because of the many stories which 

* 
were told, and decided to try their fortunes in Cali- 
fornia rather than Oregon. Therefore when we pulled 
out from Fort Hall, Susan Mitchell was saddened at 
parting with Mary Parker, who had been a cheery 
comrade for the girl during the time they had traveled 
together. 

THIEVISH SNAKES 

We were now in the country of the Snake Indians, 
and while one might believe that the Pawnees are the 
most expert thieves in the world, he has simply to 
come across the Snake tribe in order to learn what 
may be done in the way of robbery. 

Two days after we left Fort Hall, when I had warned 



124 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

John Mitchell that it was necessary to keep a sharp 
watch both day and night lest even the clothing be 
stolen from our backs, he laughed me to scorn; but 
I noticed that he took exceedingly good care of his 
saddle horse, not only hobbling' the animal, but tying 
him to a picket rope which was fastened to his own 
wrist. 

This he did twice, and yet on the third morning, 
despite all such precautions, the horse was gone, the 
hobble having been cut and left on the ground, wliile 
the picket rope was severed neatly within a half dozen 
inches of his hand. 

This theft had been committed while Mr. Mitchell 
slept, and he prided himself upon being one who was 
easily aroused. After this, and I may *as well say 
here that John Mitchell never saw his horse again, 
there was no reason why I should urge watchfulness 
upon any of our people. They voluntarily redoubled 
the guards while we were in the Snake country, and 
although I am not able to say we got through without 
losing anything, nothing of great value was taken 
from us, with the exception of the horse. 

. THE HOT SPRINGS 

I had one more marvel on this road to the Oregon 
country with which to surprise Susan Mitchell, and 
that was the Hot Springs, which were within a mile 



THE HOT SPRINGS 



125 



of the trail; therefore I led the company directly to 
them, there making camp. 

There are five or six of these springs, from which 
water bubbles up so hot that one may boil meat in 
it without need of fire, and when I said as much to 
Susan's mother, she was inclined 
to think I would 
make sport of her; 
therefore she 
boldly plunged 
her hand 




with the result 
every part of the 



that 
skin 



which came in contact with the water was reddened 
to the point of being blistered. 

That night we boiled some pemmican^ in one of the 
springs, and the girls of the party amused themselves 
by making up balls of meal dough and lowering them 
into the water by strands of plaited grass, cooking 
them as dumplings are cooked in a stew of meat. 



A prepared meat carried by all travelers over the Oregon trail. 



126 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

When we camped at Portneuf Crossing, mother 
told us the story of the trapper Portneuf, who was 
murdered at this place by the Indians, and spoke in 
such a tragic manner that even John Mitchell was 
impressed by the brutal details. When I made the 
rounds of the camp before going to sleep, I took note 
that none of the men were inclined to move around 
alone outside the rays of light cast by the camp fires, 
and he whose turn it was to stand watch, had with 
him a companion, much as though he was afraid 
to remain without a comrade near at hand in a place 
where such an evil deed had been done. 

THE FALLS OF THE SNAKE RIVER 

Next day, after a march of fourteen miles, we came 
to the American Falls of the Snake River, and supper 
was long delayed because all the women and girls 
were lost in wonder and surprise at the beautiful 
scene. I told them that the Snake River flows over 
three immense cataracts, the American, the Shoshone, 
and Salmon Falls, one quite as awe-inspiring as the 
other. 

We slept that night with the roaring of the cataract 
drowning all other noises, and next morning we were 
as wet as if we had been exposed to a smart shower. 
The wind had changed about midnight, and the spray 
from the falls was blown into the tents as well as 



THE FALLS OF THE SNAKE RIVER 



127 



under the wagon covers, until we were so uncomfort- 
able that sleep left us at an early hour. 

Because of thus being awakened before break of 
day, we set off on the march sooner than usual, with 

the result that before sun- 
/ set we had arrived at 
V . V Raft River, twenty-six 



A 



long miles from 




the American falls. The trail was difficult even for 
pack horses, and there were many places where it 
seemed an absolute impossibility to drag the heavy 
wagons with the teams doubled until we had at times 
as many as twelve yoke of cattle to one cart. 

ANTOINE OF OREGON — Q 



128 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

We were encamped in a valley, the bottom lands 
of which were covered with heavy, rich grass that 
must have been a real surprise to the animals after 
the scanty fare they had had from the time of leaving 
Fort Bridger. I believed that we might spend a full 
day here, in order to give the animals good rest before 
undertaking the mountainous trail, and was on the 
point of telling John Mitchell what I had in mind 
when Susan called my attention to six or eight wreaths 
of smoke coming from as many different points on the 
mountains around us. 

SIGNS OF THE INDIANS 

To the girl it was a cause only for surprise that 
smoke should be seen ascending in such a place; but 
on the instant I was alarmed, knowing beyond doubt 
that signal fires had been kindled by the Indians, 
warning others of their tribe that a small company 
of white people were where they might be attacked 
with small chance of defending themselves. 

No one except my mother knew of the anxiety 
which filled my heart that night. Knowing that we 
were at the mercy of the savages, if they should 
fall upon us while we were in the valley and they 
on the rising ground around us, I could not sleep, 
although needing rest sadly. I spent the time 
until sunrise walking from one sentinel to another 



BESET WITH DANGER 



129 



^ 



,J^ 



in order to make certain each man was keeping sharp 
watch. 

John Mitchell must have guessed that danger 
threatened, for he came out from 
beneath the cover of his wagon 
shortly after midnight and re- 
mained on the alert 
until sunrise. 

Then we could 
see many columns 
of smoke from the 
sides of the moun- 
tains, and I knew 
we were surrounded 
by savages who 
would not hesitate 
to make an attack 
in order to gain 
possession of our 
goods, if it could be done with- 
out great danger to themselves. 




BESET WITH DANGER 

I would not listen to John Mitchell when he pro- 
posed that we make a hurried start, for I knew the 
Indians were near enough to see clearly what we were 
doing, and at the first show of fear on our part the 



I30 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

whole crew would be upon us. However, I insisted 
that no member of the company should stray ever 
so short a distance from the train, and I took good 
care that the cows were herded in close order between 
two of the wagons. 

Despite all I could say to the contrary, Susan in- 
sisted on accompanying me when I rode to and fro 
along the line, keeping sharp watch for a possible 
ambush and fearing each instant to hear that savage 
yell which would tell that the enemy was upon us. 

Yet we passed along the mountain sides and across 
narrow valleys in peace until after sixteen miles we 
arrived at the banks of Marsh Creek, where I gave 
the word that a halt be made, because then we were 
where it would be possible to make some show of 
defending ourselves in event of an attack, owing to a 
small thicket of stunted pines on a slight elevation of 
land near the water. 

During all the day's journey, I knew the Indians 
were hovering close around us, because of the signal 
fires that were lighted just in advance of us from 
time to time ; but we failed to see the enemy except 
once, when a half-naked savage showed himself, as if 
by accident, as we rounded a bend in the trail. 
Other than that one glimpse of a dark form and the 
signal fires on every hand, we had no proof that danger 
lurked near us. It is likely that the greater number 



HUNGER AND THIRST 



131 



of our company were ignorant of that which menaced ; 
but I knew full well that we had been in peril of our 
lives from the moment we made camp at Raft River. 

Again I passed a sleepless night, 
and again John Mitchell joined me as 
I went from sentinel 
to sentinel, asking " ' 

now and then if any 
suspicious noise had 
been heard, until 
another day had 
dawned, and then I 
failed to see signal // 
smoke, search the 
country with my 
eyes though I did. 
was evident the Snakes 
believed we would put up 
a strong fight if attacked, 
and, failing to catch us at a disadvantage, they had 
drawn off, most likely hoping to come across some 
other company of emigrants who were not so cautious. 




HUNGER AND THIRST 

From Marsh Creek we journeyed to Goose Creek, 
a distance of seventeen miles, earning by most severe 
labor every yard of advance and failing to find water 



132 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

during the entire day. That part of the country 
yielded no grass for the animals, and when we made 
camp at night we took good care to see that every 
beast was hobbled so securely that he could not stray 
very far in search of food. 

The next day's march ended at Rock Creek, and 
although the traveling was quite as hard for beasts 
and men, we made twenty-four miles, urged to most 
severe exertions because our store of food was being 
consumed rapidly. I knew we could not hope to find 
game and therefore we must go hungry until arriving 
at the trading post on the Snake River known as 
Fort Boise, while the animals would have great diffi- 
culty in finding grass. The country was stripped as 
bare of green as though a fire had passed over it, and 
many were the distressing tales I could have told of 
emigrants who had perished miserably by starva- 
tion while trying to make this portion of the long 
journey. 

We left Rock Creek a full hour before daylight, 
urging the famished beasts at their best pace while 
we ourselves strove not to think of food lest the hun- 
ger which beset us should become more keen. Not 
until forty-two miles had been traversed did I give 
the word to encamp, and it was full time, for I 
question if we could have held on half an hour 
longer. 



NEARLY EXHAUSTED 133 

NEARLY EXHAUSTED 

Then we had arrived at Salmon Falls Creek. It 
was nearly nine o'clock in the evening when we came 
to a halt, and during the last half hour of the march 
we had been more nearly asleep than awake. At this 
camp we found a scanty crop of grass, but no food 
for ourselves, and when, weary to the verge of ex- 
haustion, we crept under such shelters as had been 
put up hurriedly in the darkness, it was with the 
knowledge that sleep would come quickly, enabling us to 
forget, even for a short time, our great needs. 

From this point the next camping place would be 
on the bank of the Snake River, at what is known 
as the first crossing, twenty-five miles away, and then 
we had before us a journey of seventy-three miles to 
the Boise River, after which we must march forty- 
eight miles farther in order to gain Fort Boise, where 
food could be had. 

One hundred forty-six miles stretched out ahead of 
us before it would be possible to satisfy our hunger, 
and this distance could not be covered in less than 
three days. Our animals were so nearly worn out 
with severe work and lack of food that it did not 
seem possible we could advance another ten miles, 
and yet all that long distance must be traversed 
unless we gave up the struggle, leaving our bones 



134 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



to bleach on the trail, as many another had done 
before us. 

Now and again we came upon ghastly evidences of 
death, in wrecks of wagons and tokens of human 
beings who had perished by starvation. Perhaps it 




was well we saw those things, since they forced our 
people to struggle all the harder. 

We traveled in silence during the three days before 
arriving at Fort Boise, eating nothing at noon, and 
for breakfast and supper receiving no more than 
enough to prove how desperately hungry we were. I 
strove to keep my mind fixed upon the danger which 
might menace from Indians, in order to be ready to 
guard against it; but the others, even including 



ARRIVAL AT FORT BOISE 135 

Susan, rode or walked listlessly, as if already despair- 
ing of ever being able to accomplish the task before 
us. 

The animals moved feebly; twice an ox fell in the 
yoke, refusing to rise again, and we were forced to 
leave him behind. The men worked half-heartedly 
when it became necessary to double the teams in 
order to haul the wagons over the rough road, and 
so great became the suffering of all that we moved 
onward as if in a dream. 

ARRIVAL AT FORT BOISE 

I shall not speak of that terrible time, save to 
say that the good God permitted us to arrive 
finally at Fort Boise at the very moment when I 
believed there was no hope of our succeeding. It 
was as if we had been dead and come alive again, 
when the trappers came out to meet us, and carried 
the women and children into the inclosure, for, 
having arrived where grass could be found, the 
hungry beasts came to a full stop nearly a quarter 
mile distant, nor was it possible to force them for- 
ward a single pace farther. 

Fort Boise is a Hudson's Bay Company's post, 
and if the trappers and traders there had been mem- 
bers of the American Compan/ they could not have 
treated us with greater kindness. Because of our 



136 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



exhausted condition the men took entire charge of 
our cattle, and we were treated almost as children, 
being waited upon during the first hours after our 
arrival as if we were not capable of caring for our- 
selves, which I suppose really was the case, for if we 




m 



had been allowed to have all the food we desired 
some of the weaker ones might have eaten until they 
died. 

Two days at this post served to put the members 
of the company, as well as the cattle, in fairly good 
condition, and the men who had treated us so kindly 
urged that we take our departure without further 



ON THE TRAIL ONCE MORE 137 

loss of time lest we be overtaken by snowstorms while 
among the Blue Mountains, which range it would be 
necessary to cross before we arrived at the Oregon 
country. 

ON THE TRAIL ONCE MORE 

I understood that such advice was good, and when 
John Mitchell would have lingered despite the advice 
of the trappers, I took it upon myself to insist that 
we go forward, picturing to him in the most vivid 
colors the result if winter came upon us before we had 
scaled the mountain range. 

In order that we might not overtax our newly 
acquired strength, we brought the first day's march 
from Fort Boise to an end at the bank of the Mal- 
heur River, sixteen miles distant. Next day we 
traveled thirty-one miles to Burnt River, where we 
halted one day to make ready for a sixty-mile journey 
to Powder River. 

To make any attempt at describing this part of 
our journey would be repeating the words I have set 
down many times before. The trail was as rough as 
can well be imagined, and the labor of getting the 
heavy wagons along quite as great as had been found 
elsewhere. 

Because of the supplies bought at Fort Boise, we 
did not suffer greatly from hunger, although we were 
allowed only a small portion of food each day; but 



138 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



the animals were in a half -famished condition all the 
while until we had arrived at the Grande Ronde, 
which is a beautiful valley among the mountains, 
where grass can be found in abundance. 

There in that excellent camping place we remained 
two days, the cattle meanwhile feeding greedily, as 
if realizing that it was necessary they add to their 




strength in 
order to make the '^ . 
journey over the moun- 
tains, fifteen miles away. 

Refreshed by the long 
halt, we began to climb the 
Blue Mountains, where the 
trail led over such steep 
ascents that it became necessary 
to yoke all our cattle to one wagon, pull it a mile or 
two up what was much like a cliff, and then drive the 
oxen back for another load, thus winning our advance 
with the greatest difficulty, and after the most severe 
labor traveling no more than seven miles in one 
day. 



CAYUSE INDIANS 



139 



CAYUSE INDIANS 

It was about the middle of September when we 
arrived at the Umatilla River, where is an Indian 
village under rule of the chief Five Crows of the 

Cayuse tribe, and a 

^J^m~-j more friendly tribe 

I have never seen. 

They had not a little land 

cultivated, — of course all the 

work had been done by the 

squaws, — and stood ready to 

trade with us for whatever we 

had, but were more eager for clothing 

than anything else. 

On leaving the valley, the trail runs 
straight up the bluff, over a high, grassy 
plain, affording fairly good footing 
for the animals ; but when we halted 
that night it was necessary to carry 
water from the stream no less than a mile 
and a half up on the ridge, to our camp. 
Two days later we came upon a village of the Walla 
Walla Indians, who, instead of begging, offered us 
venison and potatoes and seemed to be much pleased 
when we accepted their gifts; we lingered with them 
a day, for now the time had come when I could no 
longer call myself guide. 




140 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



THE COLUMBIA RIVER 

We had come within sight of the Columbia River, 
which was not more than four miles away, and farther 
than this I had never gone, for my father in his trad- 
ing trips had generally halted in the Umatilla 
"^w^K Valley, where he remained until having 
gathered a large supply of 
furs. 




Now that the 
river was in full 
view, any of the 
party might have 
led the way, for the 
trail was fairly well 
' defined ; but there 
were so many chances of wander- 
ing out of the most direct course 
that I urged John Mitchell to hire 
one of the Walla Walla Indians to 
serve us until we arrived at Oregon 
City. 



AN INDIAN FERRY 141 

To my surprise he refused, but insisted that I finish 
the task. 

It is true that I could continue as guide while we 
had the river near at hand to mark out the general 
course, and it pleased me much that he should be 
willing to put so much confidence in me, for I under- 
stood, or believed I did, when we left Independence, 
that he was more than doubtful whether a lad of my 
age could properly do that which might be required. 

As I learned from the Indians, we had but one more 
difiicult passage to make before the journey would 
be finished, and although the cattle and the horses 
were worn nearly to the verge of uselessness, I be- 
lieved that by making slow marches, if the winter did 
not come upon us too suddenly, it would be possible 

to make our way through. 

• 

AN INDIAN FERRY 

The way was hard, more difficult, it seemed to me, 
than any over which we had passed. But by work- 
ing carefully, sparing the cattle as much as we could, 
and not forcing them more than an eight- or ten-mile 
march, we succeeded in passing over the bluff, until 
we came to the Des Chutes River. 

At this stream it was necessary to have assistance 
from the Indians, because it would be impossible for 
so small a party as ours to make the crossing. The 



142 



ANTOINE OF OREGON 



current was so rapid and violent, besides being exceed- 
ingly deep at places, that we could not hope to take 
the wagons over except by using canoes as ferryboats. 

This last we did, lashing upon five or six of the 
largest a platform of poles and split logs, until there 
had been formed a bed sufficiently large to give room 
for a wagon. 

It seemed to me as if John Mitchell would never 
make a bargain for this rough ferrying. The Indians 




demanded as the price of their labor almost every- 
thing they saw in the wagons, and at least three hours 
were spent in haggling, before we were ready to make 
the first venture. 

Then our picket ropes were doubled and tied to- 
gether until we had a length sufficient to stretch across 
the stream. One end of this was made fast to the 
platform of logs and canoes, and the other carried by 



THE DALLES OF THE COLUMBIA 143 

a party of the Indians to the opposite side of the 
stream, when all the strength of every man that could 
be mustered was required to keep our ferryboat from 
striking upon the rocks. 

We were two days making this passage, although 
the stream at its widest part is not over a hundred 
fifty yards, and when, finally, the task had been ac- 
complished and we started on the last stage of our 
journey, it was found that, in addition to what we 
had given the Indians, they had succeeded in stealing 
a quantity of powder and shot, several shirts, and 
two pair of trousers, one pair of which, I grieve to say, 
belonged to me and were the best I ever owned. 

THE DALLES OF THE COLUMBIA 

I wish I could express the thankfulness and relief 
which came upon me on the 29th of September, when 
we arrived at the end of our journey, for then we 
had come to the Dalles, or the Methodist Missions, 
beyond which no wagon had ever passed. 

At this place we found several families of would-be 
settlers waiting for a passage down the river in one 
of the two small boats which ran from Cascade Falls 
to Fort Vancouver, from which place they might 
continue the journey by water to Oregon City. 

Here, at what is known as the Dalles of the Colum- 
bia, where the water rushes through a long, narrow 

ANTOINE OF OREGON — lO 



144 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

channel of rock with so swift a current that when 
the water is high even boats propelled by steam can- 
not stem it, the missionaries sent out by the Methodist 
Church have built a few dwellings, a schoolhouse, 



-fd'j-:^:j^^~^lx: 




and a barn, besides plant- 
ing the surrounding land 
by aid of the Indians 
whom they have con- ^^, 
verted from a life 
of savagery to the 
knowledge of God. 

OUR LIVE STOCK 

I cannot take to myself very much credit because 
of having led John Mitchell's company without serious 
mishap, even though I have twice before traversed 
the trail from the Missouri River. Yet we had no 
trouble which could not be overcome by hard labor, 
and every member of the company arrived at the 
journey's end in good health, which is more than can 
be said of other emigrants. 



MY WORK AS GUIDE ENDED 145 

When we arrived at the Dalles of the Columbia, 
we found there emigrants who had lost more than 
half of all their live stock during the long journey, 
and again my heart was overflowing with thankful- 
ness, because we had suffered no great loss. 

On leaving Independence there were in John Mit- 
chell's train, as I have already set down, thirty cows, 
forty oxen, twenty horses, and ten mules. We arrived 
at the Dalles with twenty-one cows, thirty-two oxen, 
seventeen horses, and six mules. 

MY WORK AS GUIDE ENDED 

Here at the Dalles, as I have said, the journey was 
nearly ended, and here it is that I, Antoine, who 
now three times have crossed from the Missouri to 
the Columbia River, have come to an end of my story- 
telling. 

In guiding John Mitchell's company over this long 
journey of more than two thousand miles, I did no 
more than show them what I knew of woodcraft, 
how to kill the buffalo, to stalk the antelope, to creep 
up on the elk, and, what in the Indian country is of 
the greatest importance, how to form camp so that 
they might be in least danger of a surprise. 

My mother had come over this long stretch of 
country with fewer hardships than any other woman 
in the company. She had been, as you might say. 



146 ANTOINE OF OREGON 

familiar with travel in the wilderness, for twice had 
she been out with my father on his trading trips, and 
knew how to take advantage of this time of rest, or 
of that period of toil. 

I BECOME A FARMER 

Having left our home in St. Louis, we began to 
realize, as the end of the journey drew near, that we 
must look upon ourselves now as settlers in the Oregon 
country. 

Because of not having sufficient money with which 
to embark in my father's business, I must content 
myself with becoming a farmer, that I might the 
better care for my mother. Even though it did not 
accord with my wishes to abandon the life of a trapper, 
yet that was of no account, so long as I was able to 
do my duty by my mother, even as she has done her 
duty, and more, by me. 

Concerning the journey down the river, when we 
traveled comfortably on a boat, there is no reason why 
I should set down anything, save that we arrived at 
Oregon City on the twenty-second day of October. We 
remained at the Mission, with other intending settlers, 
a long time waiting for the boats, and when we arrived 
the journey which had been begun on the sixth day of 
May, if we counted the beginning when we left Inde- 
pendence, was at an end. 



I BECOME A FARMER 147 

There were many matters regarding this long march 
of ours, many small adventures and larger misadven- 
tures, which I would dearly have loved to set down. 

It would also have pleased me to tell how it was 
that I came to buy land on the Columbia River, with 
the money earned as a guide, together with what was 
received from the sale of the old home. 

All this and more, I would like to set down in detail ; 
but I have not the time in which to do it, therefore I 
will write as the last words, that I, who once claimed 
St. Louis as my home, while I labor with my hands in 
the fields for my dear mother, have put behind me 
the past with its lure of trapping and hunting, and 
learned to think of myself only as Antoine of Oregon. 



k;5i-iS?ii^^aite--.. 




BOOKS CONSULTED IN WRITING 
ANTOINE OF OREGON 

Ballantyne, R. M. : The Dog Crusoe. Henry T. Coates. 
Bryant, Edwin : What I Saw in Cahfornia. D. Appleton & Co. 
Bryce, George : The Remarkable History of the Hudson's Bay 

Company. Sampson Low, Marston & Co. 
Chittenden, Hiram Martin : The American Fur Trade of the 

Far West. Francis P. Harper. 
Dellenbaugh, F. S. : Breaking the Wilderness. G. P. Putnam's 

Sons. 
Drake, Samuel Adams : The Making of the Great West. Charles 

Scribner's Sons. 
Irving, Washington : The Adventures of Captain Bonneville. 

G. P. Putnam's Sons. 
Marcy, Randolph B. : The Prairie Traveler. Harper & Brothers. 
Parkman, Francis : The Oregon Trail. Little, Brown & Com- 
pany. 
Paxson, Frederick L. : The Last American Frontier. The Mac- 

millan Company. 
Powell, Lyman P. : Historic Towns of Western States. G. P. 

Putnam's Sons. 
Thornton, J. Quinn : Oregon and California. Harper & 

Brothers. 
Thwaites, Reuben Gold: Early Western Travels (Palmer). 

Arthur H. Clarke Co. 
Thwaites, Reuben Gold: Early Western Travels (Buttrick). 

Arthur H. Clarke Co. 



149 



JAMES OTIS' S 
COLONIAL SERIES 



Calvert of Maryland Richard of Jamestown 

Mary of Plymouth Ruth of Boston 

. Peter of New Amsterdam Stephen of Philadelphia 

Price, each, 35 cents. For grades 3-5 



DON'T you remember the **Toby Tyler" stories, 
which appeared some years ago in ** Harper's Young 
People"? And don't you remember how impatiently 
boys and girls looked forward to the next issue merely be- 
cause of those tales ? Stories like those mean something to 
children and make an impression. 

^ Here are six new stories by the same author, James Otis, 
the first he has ever written for schools. They are just as fas- 
cinating as his earlier ones. They are stories and yet they 
are histories. Their viewpoint is entirely original, the story 
of each settlement being told by one of the children living in the 
colony. For this reason only such incidents as a child might 
notice, or learn by hearsay, are introduced — but all such in- 
cidents are, as far as possible, historical facts and together they 
present a delighttully graphic and comprehensive description 
of the daily life of the early colonists. 

^ The style in which the children tell the stories reads as 
charmingly as that of a fairy tale, and abounds in quaint hu- 
mor and in wholesome, old-fashioned philosophy. 
^ Each book is profusely illustrated with pen and ink draw- 
ings that not only add to its artistic attractiveness, but will be 
found a genuine aid to the child's imagination in reproducing 
for him realistic glimpses into a home-life of long ago. 
^ There is no better way for your pupils to learn about the 
beginning of our country. The books are just as well suited 
to libraries and home use. Write us about them. 



AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY 



HISTORICAL READERS 

By H. A. GUERBER 

Story of the Thirteen Colonies $0*65 

Story of the Great Republic 65 

Story of the English 65 

Story of Old France 65 

Story of Modern France 65 

Story of the Chosen People 60 

Story of the Greeks 60 

Story of the Romans 60 

A LTHOUGH these popular books are intended primarily 
X\. for supplementary reading, they will be found quite as 
valuable in adding Hfe and interest to the formal study 
of history. Beginning with the fifth school year, they can be 
used with profit in any of the upper grammar grades. 
^ In these volumes the history of some of the world's peoples 
has taken the form of stories in which the principal events are 
centered about the lives of great men of all times. Through- 
out the attempt has been made to give in simple, forceful lan- 
guage an authentic account of famous deeds, and to present a 
stirring and lifelike picture of life and customs. Strictly mili- 
tary and political history have never been emphasized. 
^ No pains has been spared to interest boys and girls, to 
impart useful information, and to provide valuable lessons of 
patriotism, truthfulness, courage, patience, honesty, and in- 
dustry, which will make them good men and women. Many 
incidents and anecdotes, not included in larger works, are 
interspersed among the stories, because they are so frequently 
used in art and literature that familiarity with them is in- 
dispensable. The illustrations are unusually good. 
^ The author's Myths of Greece and Rome, Myths of 
Northern Lands, and Legends of the Middle Ages, each, 
price ^1.50, present a fascinating account of those wonderful 
legends and tales of mythology which should be known to 
everyone. Seventh and eighth year pupils will delight in them. 



AMERICAN BOOK COM PA NY 

« 

(.8) 



o.6o 


Africa 


.60 


A us ti alia, Our Colonies, 


.70 


and Other Islands of the 


.60 


Sea . 



CARPENTER'S READERS 

By FRANK G. CARPENTER 



GEOGRAPHICAL READERS 
North America ^0.60 Africa . $0.60 

South America 
Europe 
Asia . .60 Sea . .60 

READERS ON COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY 

How the World is Fed . ^0.60 | How the World is Clothed, $0.60 
How the World is Housed, ^0.60 



CARPENTER'S Geographical Readers supplement the 
regular textbooks on the subject, giving life and interest 
to the study. They are intensely absorbing, being 
written by the author on the spots described, and presenting 
accurate pen-pictures of places and peoples. The style is 
simple and easy, and throughout each volume there runs a 
strong personal note which makes the reader feel that he is 
actually seeing everything with his own eyes. 
^ The books give a good idea of the various peoples, their 
strange customs and ways ofHving, and to some extent of their 
economic conditions At the same time, there are included 
graphic descriptions of the curious animals, rare birds, wonder- 
ful physical features, natural resources, and great industries of 
each country. The illustrations for the most part are repro- 
ductions of photographs taken by the author. The maps show 
the route taken over each continent. 

^ The Readers on Commerce and Industry take up the 
three great essentials of human existence, food, clothing, and 
shelter. The children visit the great food centers and see 
for themselves how the chief food staples are produced and 
prepared for use, they travel over the globe investigating the 
sources of their clothing, and they learn how the different races 
are housed, and of what their dwellings are composed. The 
journeys are along geographical lines. 



AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY 



UNITED STATES HISTORIES 

By JOHN BACH McMASTER, Professor of American 
History, University of Pennsylvania 



Primary History, ^0.60 School History, ^i.oo Brief History, jJSl.oo 



THESE Standard histories are remarlcable for their 
freshness and vigor, their authoritative statements, 
and their impartial treatment. They give a well- 
proportioned and interesting narrative of the chief events 
in our history, and are not loaded down with extended 
and unnecessary bibliographies. The illustrations are his- 
torically authentic, and show, besides well-known scenes 
and incidents, the implements and dress characteristic of the 
various periods. The maps are clear and full, and well 
executed. 

^ The PRIMARY HISTORY is simply and interestingly 
written, with no long or involved sentences. Although brief, 
it touches upon all matters of real importance to schools in 
the founding and building of our country, but copies beyond 
the understanding of children are omitted. The summaries 
at the end of the chapters, besides serving to emphasize the 
chief events, are valuable for review. 

«[[ In the SCHOOL HISTORY by far the larger part of 
the book has been devoted to the history of the United States 
since 1783. From the beginning the attention of the student 
is directed to causes and results rather than to isolated events. 
Special prominence is given to the social and economic 
development of the country. 

^ In the BRIEF HISTORY nearly one-half the book 
is devoted to the colonial period. The text proper, while 
brief, is complete in itself; and footnotes in smaller type 
permit of a more comprehensive course if desired. Short 
summaries, and suggestions for collateral reading, are provided. 



AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY 

(116) 



PUPILS' OUTLINE STUDIES 
IN UNITED STATES HISTORY 

$0.30 

By FRANCIS H.WHITE, A.M., Professor of History 
and Political Science, Kansas State Agricultural College 



A BLANK book, which is intended for the pupil's use in 
connection with any good history of the United States. 
It presents an original combination of devices con- 
veniently arranged, and affords an unusually clear idea of our 
country's history in which the chief events are deeply impressed 
on the learner's mind. The entire development of the United 
States has been taken up in the most logical manner, and facts 
of a similar nature have been grouped naturally together. 
^ This material is in the form of outline maps, charts, tables, 
outlines for essays, book references, etc., with full directions 
for the pupil, and suggestions to the teacher. Students are 
required to locate places, trace routes, follow lines of develop- 
ment, make pictures of objects illustrating civilization, write 
compositions, etc. 

^ The use of this book has demonstrated that the teaching of 
history need no longer present any difficulties to the teacher. 
Mere memorizing is discouraged, and the pupil is compelled 
to observe closely, to select essential facts, to classify his 
knowledge, to form opinions for himself, and to consult the 
leading authorities. The interest thus instilled will invariably 
lead to a sufficient grasp of the subject. 

^ The body of the book is divided into the following general 
headings: The Indians; Discovery and Exploration; Coloniza- 
tion; The Development of Nationality; Military History; 
The Progress of Civilization; Political History; and Our 
Flag and Its Defenders. While none of these periods is 
treated exhaustively, each is taken up so comprehensively and 
suggestively that further work can be made easily possible 
where more time is available. 



AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY 

(117) 



NEW SERIES OF THE 
NATURAL GEOGRAPHIES 

REDWAY AND HINMAN 

TWO BOOK OR FOUR BOOK EDITION 

Introductory Geography . $0.60 School Geography . . . $1.25 

In two parts, each . . .40 In two parts, each . . .75 



IN the new series of these sterling geographies emphasis is laid 
on industrial, commercial, and political geography, with just 
enough physiography to bring out the causal relations. 
^ The text is clear, simple, interesting, and explicit. The 
pictures are distinguished for their aptness and perfect illus- 
trative character. Two sets of maps are provided, one for 
reference, and the other for study, the latter having corre- 
sponding maps drawn to the same scale. 
^ The INTRODUCTORY GEOGRAPHY develops the 
subject in accordance with the child's comprehension, each 
lesson paving the way for the next. In the treatment of the 
United States the physiographic, historical, political, industrial, 
and commercial conditions are taken up in their respective 
order, the chief industries and the localities devoted largely to 
each receiving more than usual consideration. The country 
is regarded as being divided into five industrial sections. 
^ In the SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY a special feature is 
the presentation of the basal principles of physical and general 
geography in simple, untechnical language, arranged in num- 
bered paragraphs. In subsequent pages constant reference is 
made to these principles, but in each case accompanied by 
the paragraph number. This greatly simplifies the work, 
and makes it possible to take up the formal study of these 
introductory lessons after the remainder of the book has been 
completed. With a view to enriching the course, numerous 
specific references are given to selected geographical reading. 



AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY 

Cm) 



STEPS IN ENGLISH 

By A. C. McLEAN, A.M., Principal of Luckey School, 
Pittsburg; THOMAS C. BLAISDELL, A.M., Pro- 
fessor of English, Fifth Avenue Normal High School, 
Pittsburg; and JOHN MORROW, Superintendent of 
Schools, Allegheny, Pa. 



Book One. For third, fourth, and fifth years $0.40 

Book Two. For sixth, seventh, and eighth years 60 



THIS series presents a new method of teaching language 
which is in marked contrast with the antiquated systems 
in vogue a generation ago. The books meet modern 
conditions in every respect, and teach the child how to ex- 
press his thoughts in language rather than furnish an undue 
amount of grammar and rules. 

^ From the start the attempt has been made to base the work 
on subjects in which the child is genuinely interested. Lessons 
in writing language are employed simultaneously with those in 
conversation, while picture-study, the study of literary selec- 
tions, and letter- writing are presented at frequent intervals. 
The lessons are of a proper length, well arranged, and well 
graded. The books mark out the daily work for the teacher 
in a clearly defined manner by telling him what to do, and 
when to do it. Many unique mechanical devices, e. g., a 
labor-saving method of correcting papers, a graphic system of 
diagramming, etc., form a valuable feature of the work. 
^ These books are unlike any other series now on the 
market. They do not shoot over the heads of the pupils, 
nor do they show a marked effort in writing down to 
the supposed level of young minds. They do not contain 
too much technical grammar, nor are they filled with what 
is sentimental and meaningless. No exaggerated attention is 
given to analyzing by diagramming, and to exceptions to ordi- 
nary rules, which have proved so unsatisfactory. 



AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY 



WEBSTER'S DICTIONARIES 

The Only Genuine School Editions 



THESE Dictionaries are the acknowledged authority 
throughout the English speaking world, and constitute 
a complete and carefully graded series. The spelling 
and punctuation in all leading schoolbooks are based on them. 



WEBSTER'S PRIMARY SCHOOL DICTION- 
ARY ^0.48 

Containing over 20,000 words and meanings, with over 
400 illustrations. 

WEBSTER'S COMMON SCHOOL DICTION- 
ARY ^0.72 

Containing over 25,000 words and meanings, with over 
500 illustrations. 

WEBSTER'S HIGH SCHOOL DICTIONARY, ^0.98 

Containing about 37,000 words and definitions, and an 
appendix giving a pronouncing vocabulary of Biblical, 
Classical, Mythological, Historical, and Geographical proper 
names, with over 800 illustrations. 

WEBSTER'S ACADEMIC DICTIONARY 

Cloth, ^1.50; Indexed ^1.80 

Half Calf, ^2.75; Indexed ...... 3.00 

Abridged directly from the International Dictionary, and 
giving the orthography, pronunciations, definitions, and 
synonyms of about 60,000 words in common use, with an 
appendix containing various useful tables, with over 800 
illustrations. 

SPECIAL EDITIONS 

Webster's Countinghouse Dictionary. Sheep, 

Indexed , $2.^0 

Webster's Handy Dictionary 15 

Webster's Pocket Dictionary 57 

The same. Roan, Flexible 69 

The same. Roan, Tucks ,78 

The same. Morocco, Indexed ... .90 



AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY 
(104) 



DAVISON'S HEALTH SERIES 

By ALVIN DAVISON, M.S., A.M., Ph.D., Professor of 
Biology in Lafayette College. 



Human Body and Health : 

Elementary, ^0.40 Intermediate, ^0.50 Advanced, $0.80 

Health Lessons : 

Book One . ^^0.35 Book Two . . ^0.60 



THE object of these books is to promote health and pre- 
vent disease • and at the same time to do it in such 
a way as will appeal to the interest of boys and girls, 
and fix in their minds the essentials of right living. They are 
books of real service, which teach mainly the lessons of health- 
ful, sanitary living, and the prevention of disease, which do not 
waste time on the names of bones and organs, which furnish 
information that everyone ought to know, and which are both 
practical in their application and interesting in their presentation. 
^ These books make clear: 

^ That the teaching of physiology in our schools can be made 
more vital and serviceable to humanity. 

^ That anatomy and physiology are of little value to young 
people, unless they help them to practice in their daily lives 
the teachings of hygiene and sanitation. 

^ That both personal and public health can be improved by 
teaching certain basal truths, thus decreasing the death rate, 
now so large from a general ignorance of common diseases. 
^ That such instruction should show how these diseases, 
colds, pneumonia, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, diphtheria, and 
malaria are contracted and how they can be prevented. 
^ That the foundation for much of the illness in later life is 
laid by the boy and girl during school years, and that in- 
struction which helps the pupils to understand the care of the 
body, and the true value of fresh air, proper food, exercise, and 
cleanliness, will add much to the wealth of a nation and the 
happiness of its people. 



AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY 

(>S3) 



NOV 18 1912 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




....,1 iiiiMHIlt 

005 344 987 6 




\ 



